1891. habal
Strong's Lexicon
habal: To act emptily, to become vain, to lead astray, to be futile

Original Word: הָבַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: habal
Pronunciation: hah-VAL
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-bal')
Definition: To act emptily, to become vain, to lead astray, to be futile
Meaning: to be vain, to lead astray

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - Strong's Greek 3152 (ματαιότης, mataiotēs): Vanity, futility

- Strong's Greek 2756 (κενός, kenos): Empty, vain

Usage: The Hebrew verb "habal" primarily conveys the idea of acting in a way that is empty or futile. It often describes actions or behaviors that are devoid of substance or purpose, leading to vanity or worthlessness. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, it can also imply leading someone astray or engaging in idolatry, which is seen as a vain pursuit.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the concept of vanity or futility was often associated with idolatry and the worship of false gods. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against following practices that were considered empty or meaningless in the sight of Yahweh. The use of "habal" in the Hebrew Bible reflects a worldview that values actions and beliefs that are grounded in the covenant relationship with God, as opposed to those that are seen as transient or deceptive.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
denominative verb from hebel
Definition
to act emptily, become vain
NASB Translation
act foolishly (1), became empty (1), became vain (1), leading you into futility (1), vainly hope (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
הָבַל verb denominative act emptily, become vain

Qal Jeremiah 2:5 = 2 Kings 17:15 they went after vanity וַיֶּהְבָּ֑לוּ and became vain, Psalm 62:11 וּבְגָזֵל אַלתֶּֿהְבָּ֑לוּ do not become vain (i.e. be demoralized) by robbery; with cognate accusative Job 27:12 לָמָּה זֶה הֶבֶל תֶּהְבָּ֑לוּ why do ye become vain with vanity (i.e. shew yourselves utterly vain) ?

Hiph`il cause to become vain Jeremiah 23:16 (of false prophets) מַהְבִּלִים הֵמָּה אֶתְכֶם i.e. fill you with vain hopes.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be become, make vain

A primitive root; to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray -- be (become, make) vain.

Forms and Transliterations
וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ וַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃ ויהבלו ויהבלו׃ מַהְבִּלִ֥ים מהבלים תֶּ֫הְבָּ֥לוּ תֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃ תהבלו תהבלו׃ mah·bi·lîm mahbiLim mahbilîm teh·bā·lū tehBalu tehbālū vaiyehBalu way·yeh·bā·lū wayyehbālū
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Englishman's Concordance
2 Kings 17:15
HEB: אַחֲרֵ֤י הַהֶ֙בֶל֙ וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ וְאַחֲרֵ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙
NAS: vanity and became vain, and [went] after
KJV: vanity, and became vain, and went after
INT: and after vanity and became and after the nations

Job 27:12
HEB: זֶּ֝֗ה הֶ֣בֶל תֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃
NAS: [it]; Why then do you act foolishly?
KJV: [it]; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
INT: then altogether act

Psalm 62:10
HEB: וּבְגָזֵ֪ל אַל־ תֶּ֫הְבָּ֥לוּ חַ֤יִל ׀ כִּֽי־
NAS: in oppression And do not vainly hope in robbery;
KJV: not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery:
INT: robbery not vainly riches If

Jeremiah 2:5
HEB: אַחֲרֵ֥י הַהֶ֖בֶל וַיֶּהְבָּֽלוּ׃
NAS: after emptiness and became empty?
KJV: after vanity, and are become vain?
INT: after emptiness and became

Jeremiah 23:16
HEB: הַנִּבְּאִ֣ים לָכֶ֔ם מַהְבִּלִ֥ים הֵ֖מָּה אֶתְכֶ֑ם
NAS: who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak
KJV: that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak
INT: of the prophets are prophesying are leading like A vision

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1891
5 Occurrences


mah·bi·lîm — 1 Occ.
teh·bā·lū — 2 Occ.
way·yeh·bā·lū — 2 Occ.















1890
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