Lexical Summary chabar: To join, unite, bind together, ally Original Word: חָבַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance compact, couple together, have fellowship with, heap up, join self, together, leagueA primitive root; to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate -- charm(- er), be compact, couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm NASB Translation alliance is made (1), allied (4), attached (1), attaching (1), came as allies (1), caster (1), casts (1), compact (1), compose (1), form an alliance (1), join (2), join the together (2), joined (10), touched (1), touching (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חָבַר] verb unite (usually intransitive), be joined, tie a magic knot or spell, charm (Late Hebrew id.; Ethiopic  yet Assyrian [abâru], ubburu bind, ban (of spells), êbru, friend, and many derivatives, DlW 51 ff.; Aramaic  חַבֵּר and many derivatives; compare Phoenician noun חבר associate) — Qal Perfect3masculine plural חָֽבְרוּ Genesis 14:3 Participle active masculine חֹבֵר Deuteronomy 18:11,חוֺבֵר Psalm 58:6; feminine pluralחֹבְרֹת Exodus 26:3 (twice in verse) + 2t. + Ezekiel 1:9 (compare below), חוֺבְרוֺת Ezekiel 1:11; Passive participle construct חֲבוּר Hosea 4:17 (yet. see below); — 1 unite, be joined: a. of allies, followed by אֶלֹֿ location Genesis 14:3, construction pregnant = came as allies unto; passive participle figurative חֲבוּר עֲצַבִּים אֶפְרָ֖יִם Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols (but We reads חבר, see חבֵר 2d, and compare חֲבֵרָיו Isaiah 44:11, חֲבֶרְתְּךָ Malachi 2:14). b. of one thing reaching to, touching another; wings of Ezekiel's living creatures followed by אֶלֿ of thing, Ezekiel 1:9 (strike out ᵐ5 B Co, but see Sm); compare אישׁ ׳ח, Ezekiel 1:11, i.e. joining each one (transitive), < ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Co אשׁה ׳ח אלאֿחותה (as Ezekiel 1:9), united each to the other; so of curtains of tabernacle, followed by אֶלֿ of thing Exodus 26:3 (twice in verse); absolute joined together, of shoulderpieces of ephod Exodus 28:7 (all P; compare also Pu`al). 2 tie magic knots, charm (RSJPh xiv. 1885,123 thinks meaning charm is derived from nectere verba, and compare Arabic Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular חִבַּר Exodus 36:10; 2masculine singular וְחִבַּרְתָּ֫ Exodus 26:6 2t.; Imperfect וַיְחַבֵּר Exodus 36:10 2t.; suffix וַיְחַבְּרֵהוּ2Chronicles 20:36; Infinitive construct לְחַבֵּר Exodus 36:18; — 1 make an ally of unite one with, only ויחברהו עִמּוֺ2Chronicles 20:36 and he united him with himself, followed by Infinitive purpose. 2 unite, join (transitive), only Exodus (P), of tabernacle, object the curtains, followed by accusative + אֶלֿ of thing Exodus 26:6; Exodus 36:10 (twice in verse); Exodus 36:13;. followed by accusative only Exodus 26:9; Exodus 36:16; object אתהֿאהל join the tent together, Exodus 26:11; Exodus 36:18. Pu`al Perfect3masculine singular חֻבָּ֑ר Exodus 39:4, וְחֻבָּ֑ר consec Exodus 28:7 (but see below) 3 feminine singular שֶׁחֻבְּרָהֿ Psalm 122:3; Imperfect3masculine singular יְחֻבַּר Ecclesiastes 9:4 Qr (Kt יבחרsee below); suffix הַיְחָבְרְךָ Psalm 94:20 (Köi. 257 f.; Ges Ew Bö De and others as Qal; — 1.a. be allied with thee (suffix reference to ׳י) Psalm 94:20; b. be united to = be one of, אל כלֿ ׳מי אשׁר יְח הַחַיִּם whoever is united to all the living (Kt יבחר is meaningless). 2 be joined together, of ephod ׳עַלשְֿׁנֵי קְצוֺותָ֯ו ח Exodus 39:4 by its two edges was it joined together; compare "" Exodus 28:7 (where ᵑ0 אֶלשְֿׁנֵי קְצוֺתיו וְחֻבָּ֑ר < ᵐ5 ⅏ which read ׳ק ׳עַלשֿׁ יְחֻבָּ֑ר); לָֿהּ׳עִיר שֶׁח Psalm 122:3 joined together for itself i.e. compactly built (of Jerusalem). Hiph`il Imperfect1singular אַחְבִּ֫ירָה עליכם בְּמִלִּים Job 16:4 I could make a joining with words (i.e. join words together RV VB) against you. Hithpa`el (late) Perfect אֶתְחַבֵּר (Ges§ 541n.) 2 Chronicles 20:35; Imperfect יִתְחַבָּ֑רוּ Daniel 11:6; Infinitive suffix הִתְחַבֶּרְךָ2Chronicles 20:37; Aramaic form הִתְחַבְּרוּת Daniel 11:23 (Ges§ 54, 3 R. 1) — join oneself to, make an alliance with, followed byעִם person 2 Chronicles 20:35,37, followed by אֶלֿ person Daniel 11:23; reciprocal league together (absolute) Daniel 11:6. [חֲבַר] noun masculine fellow, comrade (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew); — plural suffix חַבְרוֺ֫הִי Daniel 2:13. D17 D18. Topical Lexicon OverviewThe root חָבַר depicts the act of joining, binding, or being in close association. Across its twenty-eight appearances the word embraces physical fastening, covenantal alliance, intimate fellowship, and even the sinister bonding of occult practice. The contexts range from tent-loops in the wilderness to political treaties, from the unity of Jerusalem to the tragic fusion of heart and idol. In every setting Scripture uses the term to commend godly union and to warn against unholy association. Patriarchal Narratives: Early Lessons on Alliance • Genesis 14:3 records the first occurrence: “All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).” Military coalitions form to oppose the covenant family, foreshadowing later confederacies against the Lord’s purposes. Wilderness Worship: Tabernacle Construction Eight uses cluster in Exodus 26 and Exodus 36. “Five curtains are to be joined together” (Exodus 26:3), and “They made fifty bronze clasps as well to join the tent together as a unit” (Exodus 36:13). The meticulous coupling of every curtain panel displays how holy dwelling requires perfect fit and unity. The congregation’s worship space—symbol of God’s presence—was literally held together by חָבַר. Covenants and Foreign Treaties 2 Chronicles 20:35–37 recounts Jehoshaphat’s fatal mistake: “Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly … ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.’” The Chronicler repeatedly employs the root to expose compromised politics. Alliances made for commercial or military gain but disregarding holiness invite divine judgment. Sorcery and the Occult Deuteronomy 18:11 lists the “charmer” (literally, one who binds spells) among forbidden practices. The same notion surfaces in Isaiah 47:9, 47:12 and elsewhere through cognate forms. What the tabernacle curtains model in purity—components joined for the glory of God—sorcery mimics in perverse fashion by binding supernatural forces to human will. Scripture’s prohibition is absolute. Wisdom Literature: The Company One Keeps Job laments, “I could join words together against you” (Job 16:4), recognizing how rhetoric can be weaponized. Psalms offers contrasting pictures: Wisdom teaches that association shapes identity, either drawing a person toward God or pulling him away. National Conspiracies Against the LORD Psalm 83:5 voices a cosmic perspective: “With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You.” The verb underscores that opposition to God is never random; it is a deliberate bonding of rebellious hearts. Yet such unions are fleeting, destined for defeat when the LORD “scatters the peoples who delight in war” (Psalm 68:30). Prophetic Indictments of Idolatry Hosea’s terse oracle, “Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!” (Hosea 4:17), captures the spiritual tragedy of misplaced attachment. The prophet Zechariah dramatizes the impending rupture: “Then I cut in pieces my second staff Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel” (Zechariah 11:14). When God severs a bond, no human device can mend it. Jerusalem, Symbol of Holy Unity Psalm 122:3 celebrates the ideal: the city “united together,” compacted by covenant loyalty and common worship. In the New Testament this vision finds fulfillment in the “new Jerusalem” composed of living stones (Revelation 21). The root concept of חָבַר thus stretches from boards and curtains to redeemed people knit together in Christ. Ministry Implications 1. Guard fellowship. Churches must cherish biblical unity without drifting into alliances that dilute truth. Through every text חָבַר challenges God’s people to ask: With whom, with what, and for what purpose am I joined? The answer determines whether our bonds will stand in the Day of the Lord or be shattered like Jehoshaphat’s ships on the rocks of divine displeasure. Forms and Transliterations אֶתְחַבַּר֙ אַחְבִּ֣ירָה אחבירה אתחבר הִֽתְחַבְּר֥וּת הַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָ היחברך התחברות וְחִבַּרְתָּ֞ וְחִבַּרְתָּ֥ וְחִבַּרְתָּ֨ וְחֹבֵ֖ר וְחֻבָּֽר׃ וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ וַיְחַבֵּ֛ר וַיְחַבֵּ֨ר וַיְחַבֵּר֙ וחבר וחבר׃ וחברת ויחבר ויחברהו חֲב֧וּר חִבַּ֔ר חָֽבְר֔וּ חֹֽבְרֹ֔ת חֹֽבְרֹ֗ת חֹֽבְרֹ֛ת חֹבְר֣וֹת חֹבְרֹ֑ת חֻבָּֽר׃ חבור חבר חבר׃ חברו חברות חברת חוֹבֵ֖ר חובר יִתְחַבָּ֔רוּ יתחברו כְּהִֽתְחַבֶּרְךָ֣ כהתחברך לְחַבֵּ֥ר לחבר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־ שחברה־ ’aḥ·bî·rāh ’aḥbîrāh ’eṯ·ḥab·bar ’eṯḥabbar achBirah chaveRu chaVur chibBar choeRot choVer chubBar etchabBar ḥā·ḇə·rū ḥă·ḇūr ḥāḇərū ḥăḇūr hay·ḥā·ḇə·rə·ḵā Haychaverecha hayḥāḇərəḵā ḥib·bar ḥibbar hiṯ·ḥab·bə·rūṯ hitchabbeRut hiṯḥabbərūṯ ḥō·ḇə·rō·wṯ ḥō·ḇə·rōṯ ḥō·w·ḇêr ḥōḇərōṯ ḥōḇərōwṯ ḥōwḇêr ḥub·bār ḥubbār kə·hiṯ·ḥab·ber·ḵā kehitchabberCha kəhiṯḥabberḵā lə·ḥab·bêr lechabBer ləḥabbêr še·ḥub·bə·rāh- šeḥubbərāh- shechubberah vaychabBer vaychabbeRehu vechibbarTa vechoVer vechubBar way·ḥab·bə·rê·hū way·ḥab·bêr wayḥabbêr wayḥabbərêhū wə·ḥib·bar·tā wə·ḥō·ḇêr wə·ḥub·bār wəḥibbartā wəḥōḇêr wəḥubbār yiṯ·ḥab·bā·rū yitchabBaru yiṯḥabbārūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:3 HEB: כָּל־ אֵ֙לֶּה֙ חָֽבְר֔וּ אֶל־ עֵ֖מֶק NAS: these came as allies to the valley KJV: All these were joined together in the vale INT: All these came to the valley Exodus 26:3 Exodus 26:3 Exodus 26:6 Exodus 26:9 Exodus 26:11 Exodus 28:7 Exodus 28:7 Exodus 36:10 Exodus 36:10 Exodus 36:13 Exodus 36:16 Exodus 36:18 Exodus 39:4 Exodus 39:4 Deuteronomy 18:11 2 Chronicles 20:35 2 Chronicles 20:36 2 Chronicles 20:37 Job 16:4 Psalm 58:5 Psalm 94:20 Psalm 122:3 Ezekiel 1:9 Ezekiel 1:11 28 Occurrences |
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, narrative); only with accusative of congnate meaning with verb חָ֑בֶר ׳ה