Lexical Summary chabula: Pledge, Binding, Obligation Original Word: חֲבוּלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hurt (Aramaic) from chabal; properly, overthrown, i.e. (morally) crime -- hurt. see HEBREW chabal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from chabal Definition a hurtful act, crime NASB Translation crime (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲבוּלָא noun feminine hurtful act, crime; — absolute ׳ח Daniel 6:23. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context חֲבוּלָה denotes bodily harm or injury brought about by hostile intent. It conveys a tangible wounding that threatens life. Its solitary appearance in the Old Testament, Daniel 6:22, frames the term within an episode of lethal danger—Daniel in the lions’ den. Singular Occurrence Daniel 6:22: “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” The noun describes what did not happen: Daniel suffered no חֲבוּלָה. By highlighting the damage that might have occurred, Scripture magnifies the divine preservation that actually did occur. Historical Background Daniel’s trial arose from the irrevocable law of the Medes and Persians (Daniel 6:8–9). The lions’ den served as a state-sanctioned execution chamber. In Persian sport and punishment alike, lions symbolized irresistible power; the slightest delay in mauling a victim would have astonished eyewitnesses. Thus, when Darius found Daniel unscathed, the absence of חֲבוּלָה testified to a miracle surpassing any human intervention. Archeological discoveries of royal menageries in the ancient Near East corroborate the historic plausibility of such an execution method. Theological Significance 1. Divine Protection. The word crystallizes the doctrine that God can forbid harm itself, not merely mitigate its effects. Comparable testimonies include Psalm 91:10, “no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent,” and Luke 21:18, “Yet not a hair of your head will perish.” Wider Biblical Connections Though חֲבוּלָה itself is unique to Daniel, cognate verbs and nouns built on the same root describe: These passages broaden the concept from physical injury to encompass societal and spiritual destruction, underscoring the Bible’s holistic view of harm. New Testament Parallels Acts 28:3-6 records Paul’s deliverance from the viper; Revelation 2:10 promises protection amid persecution. Both echo Daniel’s experience, portraying servants of God preserved from lethal threats so that gospel witness might continue. Ministry and Pastoral Applications 1. Assurance in Persecution. Believers facing hostile regimes can anchor hope in the God who prevented חֲבוּלָה to Daniel (2 Timothy 4:17-18). In Scripture, חֲבוּלָה stands as a single, luminous witness: when God decides to save, harm itself is rendered powerless. Forms and Transliterations חֲבוּלָ֖ה חבולה chavuLah ḥă·ḇū·lāh ḥăḇūlāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 6:22 HEB: ק) מַלְכָּ֔א חֲבוּלָ֖ה לָ֥א עַבְדֵֽת׃ NAS: I have committed no crime. KJV: have I done no hurt. INT: before king crime no have committed 1 Occurrence |
    |