Lexical Summary cheber: Company, association, band, group Original Word: חֶבֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance charmer company, enchantment, wide From chabar; a society; also a spell -- + charmer(- ing), company, enchantment, X wide. see HEBREW chabar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chabar Definition company, association, spell NASB Translation band (1), shared (2), spell (1), spells (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֶ֫בֶר noun [masculine] company, association, spell — absolute חָ֑בֶר Deuteronomy 18:11 2t.; construct חֶבֶר Hosea 6:9; plural חֲבָרִים Psalm 58:6, suffix חֲבָרַיִךְ Isaiah 47:9,11 — 1 company, band of (bad) priests Hosea 6:9. 2 association, society (abstract), only in בֵּית חָ֑בֶר Proverbs 21:9 = Proverbs 25:24 house of association, i. e. shared with a contentious woman (house in common, see RVm VB). 3 spell : a. as accusative of congnate meaning with verb with חָבַר (q. v.) Deuteronomy 18:11; Psalm 58:6. b. alone, of Babylonian magic Isaiah 47:9,11 (see Len Chald. Magic [1878]; Magie u. Wahrsage-kunst 1878; ScholzG-tzendienst u. Zauberwesen, 1877. 80 ff. SayTBA iii. 145 ff and Rel,. Bab 396 ff., 440 ff.). Topical Lexicon Overviewחֶבֶר threads together ideas of alliance, bonding, and binding. In Scripture it surfaces in three principal spheres: (1) occult spell-casting, (2) household companionship, and (3) violent conspiracy. The diverse contexts warn against ungodly unions while commending fellowship that honors the Lord. Patterns of Usage 1. Occult practices 2. Domestic companionship 3. Violent conspiracy Occult Associations: Condemned by Covenant Law Deuteronomy 18:11 places spell-casting alongside child sacrifice and necromancy. Israel was to be “blameless before the LORD” (verse 13), looking to His word, not to manipulative rituals. Psalm 58:5 portrays the charmer’s futility—even nature resists illicit control. Isaiah exposes pagan Babylon: “These two things will overtake you… despite your many sorceries and potent spells” (Isaiah 47:9). The prophetic taunt, “Take your stand with your spells” (Isaiah 47:12), underscores the certainty that occult power is no match for divine sovereignty. Together these texts mark חֶבֶר as a by-word for spiritual rebellion and self-deception. Companionship and Household Harmony Proverbs twice contrasts a peaceful corner with an embittered house. The same word that labels occult unions is used of ordinary cohabitation, reminding readers that every relationship becomes a spiritual alliance for good or ill. A contentious spirit turns shared space into hardship; godly wisdom seeks peace, self-control, and servant-love. Conspiracy and Corporate Guilt Hosea 6:9 indicts priests—guardians of covenant worship—who have formed a “band” for violence. Their illicit alliance desecrates sacred office, illustrating that institutional religion is no safeguard when hearts conspire against God. The prophetic image foreshadows gospel teaching on collective responsibility in sin and in righteousness (cf. Acts 2:40-47). Theological Insights • Binding power: Whether through magic, marriage, or murder, חֶבֶר depicts the human impulse to bind others to our desires. Scripture repeatedly subordinates such binding to the Lord who alone rightly “binds” His people to Himself (Hosea 11:4). Ministry Applications 1. Discernment: Pastors should teach that fascination with magic—ancient or modern—is incompatible with faith in Christ. Christological Fulfillment Where sinful alliances seek control, Jesus unites His people in self-giving love. At the cross He breaks every false bond (Colossians 2:15) and forms a redeemed company, the church, sealed by the Spirit. Thus the Scripture turns the shadow of חֶבֶר into a picture of the true fellowship that will endure forever (Revelation 21:3). Forms and Transliterations בַחֲבָרַ֙יִךְ֙ בחבריך חֲבָרִ֣ים חֲבָרַ֖יִךְ חֶ֚בֶר חָ֑בֶר חָֽבֶר׃ חבר חבר׃ חבריך חברים ḇa·ḥă·ḇā·ra·yiḵ ḇaḥăḇārayiḵ chavaRayich chavaRim Chaver Chever ḥă·ḇā·ra·yiḵ ḥă·ḇā·rîm ḥā·ḇer ḥăḇārayiḵ ḥăḇārîm ḥāḇer ḥe·ḇer ḥeḇer vachavaRayichLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 18:11 HEB: וְחֹבֵ֖ר חָ֑בֶר וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל אוֹב֙ NAS: or one who casts a spell, or a medium, INT: casts A spell A consulter spirits Psalm 58:5 Proverbs 21:9 Proverbs 25:24 Isaiah 47:9 Isaiah 47:12 Hosea 6:9 7 Occurrences |
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