2258. chabol

Lexical Summary

chabol: To take a pledge, to bind, to seize

Original Word: חֲבֹל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: chabol
Pronunciation: khaw-BOLE
Phonetic Spelling: (khab-ole')
KJV: pledge
NASB: pledge
Word Origin: [from H2254 (חָבַל - To bind)]

1. a pawn (as security for debt)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pledge

Or (feminine) chabolah {khab-o-law'}; from chabal; a pawn (as security for debt) -- pledge.

see HEBREW chabal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from chabal
Definition
a pledge
NASB Translation
pledge (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

חֲבֹל noun [masculine] pledge (as binding) — ׳יָשִׁיב ח Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 33:15; as cognate accusative with חָבַל Ezekiel 18:16.

[חֲבֹלָה] noun feminine id. (on formation compare Lg^{BN 179}) — חֲבֹלָתוֺ Ezekiel 18:7.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Concept

חֲבֹל denotes the tangible “pledge” or “collateral” taken to secure a debt. The term focuses on property temporarily surrendered by the borrower and held by the lender as surety. Scripture treats the handling of such collateral as a test of covenant faithfulness, compassion, and justice.

Biblical Occurrences

Ezekiel employs חֲבֹל four times to contrast righteous conduct with oppression:
• Ezekiel 18:7 – the upright man “restores the collateral for a debt.”
• Ezekiel 18:12 – the wicked son “does not restore the collateral.”
• Ezekiel 18:16 – the righteous grandson “does not demand a pledge.”
• Ezekiel 33:15 – the repentant wrongdoer “restores a pledge” and thereby shows genuine turnaround.

In each setting, returning or refusing to seize collateral functions as visible evidence of either covenant loyalty or lawlessness.

Historical and Legal Background

Mosaic legislation guarded the dignity of the poor borrower.
• Exodus 22:26-27: “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset… and if he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate.”
• Deuteronomy 24:6 warns against taking millstones—essential for daily bread—as security.
• Deuteronomy 24:10-13 commands lenders to stay outside a debtor’s house and to return a cloak by nightfall, “and it will be counted to you as righteousness before the LORD your God.”

These statutes protect life-sustaining items and underscore that Israel’s economic exchanges must mirror the LORD’s mercy. Ezekiel’s use of חֲבֹל presumes these provisions and rebukes Judah for ignoring them.

Theological and Prophetic Significance

1. Justice Rooted in God’s Character – By insisting on fair treatment of pledges, God reveals Himself as compassionate Defender of the vulnerable.
2. Visible Righteousness – Returning collateral is listed with feeding the hungry and clothing the naked (Ezekiel 18:7, 18:16), placing economic integrity alongside acts of charity.
3. Evidence of Repentance – In Ezekiel 33:15 restoration of the pledge accompanies restitution and obedience, demonstrating that true repentance produces concrete social change.
4. Anticipation of Ultimate Surety – The pledge motif hints at a greater Substitute. Proverbs 11:15 warns against rash suretyship, yet Hebrews 7:22 presents Jesus Christ as “the guarantee of a better covenant,” voluntarily standing as eternal security for His people.

Ministry and Practical Application

• Stewardship and Lending – Believers who lend should prioritize people over profits, ensuring that agreements never strip borrowers of necessities.
• Advocacy for the Oppressed – Churches can model prophetic righteousness by challenging exploitative lending practices and offering relief that restores dignity.
• Tangible Repentance – When past financial wrongdoing is confessed, restitution—including the return of seized items—exemplifies the fruit of repentance (Luke 19:8).
• Gospel Reflection – Just as God required Israel to release life-giving collateral at sundown, so He released sinners from their debt at the cross. Extending mercy in financial dealings becomes a living parable of the grace we have received.

Forms and Transliterations

חֲבֹ֖ל חֲבֹ֨ל חֲבֹל֙ חֲבֹלָת֥וֹ חבל חבלתו chaVol chavolaTo ḥă·ḇō·lā·ṯōw ḥă·ḇōl ḥăḇōl ḥăḇōlāṯōw

Englishman's Concordance

Ezekiel 18:7
HEB: לֹ֣א יוֹנֶ֔ה חֲבֹלָת֥וֹ חוֹב֙ יָשִׁ֔יב
KJV: to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled
INT: does not oppress his pledge to the debtor restores

Ezekiel 18:12
HEB: גְּזֵל֣וֹת גָּזָ֔ל חֲבֹ֖ל לֹ֣א יָשִׁ֑יב
NAS: does not restore a pledge, but lifts
KJV: hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up
INT: robbery commits A pledge does not restore

Ezekiel 18:16
HEB: לֹ֣א הוֹנָ֔ה חֲבֹל֙ לֹ֣א חָבָ֔ל
NAS: or retain a pledge, or commit
KJV: hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled
INT: or oppress A pledge or retain

Ezekiel 33:15
HEB: חֲבֹ֨ל יָשִׁ֤יב רָשָׁע֙
NAS: restores a pledge, pays back
KJV: restore the pledge, give again
INT: A pledge restores wicked

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2258
4 Occurrences

ḥă·ḇōl — 3 Occ.
ḥă·ḇō·lā·ṯōw — 1 Occ.