2270. chaber
Lexical Summary
chaber: Companion, associate, fellow

Original Word: חָבֵר
Part of Speech: Adjective; noun masculine; noun; feminine
Transliteration: chaber
Pronunciation: khaw-bare'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bare')
KJV: companion, fellow, knit together
NASB: companions, companion, fellows, united
Word Origin: [from H2266 (חָבַר - joined)]

1. an associate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
companion, fellow, knit together

From chabar; an associate -- companion, fellow, knit together.

see HEBREW chabar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chabar
Definition
united, associate, companion
NASB Translation
companion (3), companions (7), fellows (1), united (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חָבֵר adjective and

noun masculineSong of Solomon 8:13 united, associate, companion׳ח absolute Proverbs 28:24; Psalm 119:68; suffix חֲבֵרוֺ Ecclesiastes 4:10 (+ 3 t. Ezekiel Kt; Qr חבריו see below); plural חֲבֵרִים Judges 20:11; Songs 8:13 construct חַבְרֵי Isaiah 1:23; suffix חֲבֵרֶ֑ךָ Psalm 45:8, חֲבֵרֶ֑יךָ Songs 1:7; חֲבֵרָיו Isaiah 44:11 3t.; Ezekiel Qr; —

1 adjective united כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד חֲבֵרִים Judges 20:11 knit together as one man (AV RV).

2. n. associate, fellow:

a. of children (tribes) of Israel assoc. with Judah as head Ezekiel 37:16; id. associated with Joseph (Ehpraimitic source) as head Ezekiel 37:16; Ezekiel 37:19 (in all these read Qr חֲבֵרָיו).

b. of like rank Psalm 45:8

c. of like calling Songs 1:7.

d. worshippers (associates, belonging to the society or guild) of idols Isaiah 44:11 (see Che; > others priests, Geigumschr. 121 493 SS, compare חֶבֶר Hosea 6:9; Du reads חֲבָרִים enchantments).

e. in General Songs 8:13.

f. implying likeness of character Isaiah 1:23; Proverbs 28:24; Psalm 119:63.

3 companion at a particular time Ecclesiastes 4:10.

Topical Lexicon
Concept and Range of Meaning

חָבֵר portrays people who are bound together—friends, comrades, allies, associates, or an entire company acting “as one man” (Judges 20:11). The contexts span military unity, covenant fellowship, courtly companionship, marital friendship, and prophetic symbolism. The word can denote either righteous fellowship or corrupt collusion, placing moral weight on the kind of companionship chosen.

Unity for a Just Cause (Judges 20:11)

When Israel rose against Gibeah, “all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man.” The term underscores national solidarity in executing corporate discipline. The episode shows that godly unity is never mere conformity; it is unity governed by obedience to the revealed will of God.

Companions of the Messiah (Psalm 45:7)

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45 celebrates the royal bridegroom and is applied to Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:9. The Messiah’s companions share in His joy precisely because He separates Himself from wickedness. Fellowship with Him is inseparable from love of righteousness.

The Fellowship of the God-Fearing (Psalm 119:63; Ecclesiastes 4:10)

“I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts” (Psalm 119:63). Covenant loyalty binds believers together across tribes, generations, and social ranks. Ecclesiastes 4:10 extols the practical benefits: “If one falls down, his companion can lift him up.” Biblical friendship is both spiritual and tangible—mutual encouragement, accountability, and aid.

Pastoral and Bridal Imagery (Song of Songs 1:7; 8:13)

The beloved asks, “Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?” (1:7). Later, “my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it!” (8:13). Companions function as attendants who witness and celebrate covenant love. The imagery anticipates the Church’s role as the bridal people who delight in the Bridegroom’s presence and voice.

The Peril of Corrupt Companionship (Proverbs 28:24; Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 44:11)

“He who robs his father or mother … is a companion to a man who destroys” (Proverbs 28:24). Isaiah indicts Judah’s leaders as “companions of thieves” (1:23), and condemns idol-makers: “all his associates will be put to shame” (44:11). Companionship becomes moral complicity; shared sin invites shared judgment.

Prophetic Sign of National Reunion (Ezekiel 37:16, 19)

Twice the prophet is told to write on a stick “for Judah and the Israelites associated with him” and another “for Joseph … and all the house of Israel associated with him.” The term identifies the remnant attached to each tribal leader, then promises that God will make them “one in My hand.” Restoration hinges on being re-joined under the sovereign covenant Lord.

Theological Threads

1. Covenant Solidarity: From military ranks to marriage, חָבֵר assumes a binding relationship governed by covenant faithfulness.
2. Moral Dimension: Fellowship is never neutral; it either advances righteousness or multiplies wickedness.
3. Messianic Fulfillment: Psalm 45 locates true joy and fellowship in the anointed King, foreshadowing believers’ union with Christ.
4. Eschatological Hope: Ezekiel’s vision of reunited companions anticipates the ultimate gathering of God’s people under one Shepherd (John 10:16).

Ministry Implications

• Encourage believers to cultivate friendships centered on the fear of the Lord and obedience to His word (Psalm 119:63).
• Warn against alliances that compromise holiness; evil company still “corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
• Promote corporate worship and service that reflect the unity modeled in Judges 20:11 and fulfilled in the body of Christ.
• Use Ezekiel’s two sticks as a teaching picture of reconciliation—whether among divided church members, families, or ethnic groups—showing that lasting unity is God-wrought and covenant-rooted.

Forms and Transliterations
וְחַבְרֵי֙ וחברי חֲבֵר֑וֹ חֲבֵרִ֛ים חֲבֵרִֽים׃ חֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃ חֲבֵרָ֑יו חֲבֵרָֽיו׃ חֲבֵרָיו֙ חָבֵ֣ר חָבֵ֥ר חבר חברו חבריו חבריו׃ חבריך׃ חברים חברים׃ מֵֽחֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃ מחבריך׃ chaVer chaveRav chaveReicha chaveRim chaveRo ḥă·ḇê·rāw ḥă·ḇê·re·ḵā ḥă·ḇê·rîm ḥă·ḇê·rōw ḥā·ḇêr ḥāḇêr ḥăḇêrāw ḥăḇêreḵā ḥăḇêrîm ḥăḇêrōw mê·ḥă·ḇê·re·ḵā MechaveReicha mêḥăḇêreḵā vechavRei wə·ḥaḇ·rê wəḥaḇrê
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 20:11
HEB: כְּאִ֥ישׁ אֶחָ֖ד חֲבֵרִֽים׃ פ
NAS: against the city, united as one man.
KJV: against the city, knit together as one
INT: man one united

Psalm 45:7
HEB: שֶׁ֥מֶן שָׂשׂ֗וֹן מֵֽחֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃
NAS: of joy above Your fellows.
KJV: of gladness above thy fellows.
INT: the oil of joy your fellows

Psalm 119:63
HEB: חָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכָל־
NAS: I am a companion of all those who
KJV: I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear
INT: companion I of all

Proverbs 28:24
HEB: אֵֽין־ פָּ֑שַׁע חָבֵ֥ר ה֝֗וּא לְאִ֣ישׁ
NAS: It is not a transgression, Is the companion of a man
KJV: [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.
INT: is not A transgression is the companion he of a man

Ecclesiastes 4:10
HEB: יָקִ֣ים אֶת־ חֲבֵר֑וֹ וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ הָֽאֶחָד֙
NAS: will lift up his companion. But woe
KJV: will lift up his fellow: but woe
INT: the one will lift his companion woe to the one

Songs 1:7
HEB: עַ֖ל עֶדְרֵ֥י חֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃
NAS: the flocks of your companions?
KJV: by the flocks of thy companions?
INT: Beside the flocks companion

Songs 8:13
HEB: הַיּוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת בַּגַּנִּ֗ים חֲבֵרִ֛ים מַקְשִׁיבִ֥ים לְקוֹלֵ֖ךְ
NAS: in the gardens, [My] companions are listening
KJV: in the gardens, the companions hearken
INT: sit the gardens companions are listening your voice

Isaiah 1:23
HEB: שָׂרַ֣יִךְ סוֹרְרִ֗ים וְחַבְרֵי֙ גַּנָּבִ֔ים כֻּלּוֹ֙
NAS: are rebels And companions of thieves;
KJV: [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves:
INT: your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves Everyone

Isaiah 44:11
HEB: הֵ֤ן כָּל־ חֲבֵרָיו֙ יֵבֹ֔שׁוּ וְחָרָשִׁ֥ים
NAS: all his companions will be put
KJV: Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed:
INT: Behold all his companions will be put the craftsmen

Ezekiel 37:16
HEB: [חֲבֵרֹו כ] (חֲבֵרָ֑יו ק) וּלְקַח֙
NAS: of Israel, his companions; then take
KJV: of Israel his companions: then take
INT: the sons of Israel companion take stick

Ezekiel 37:16
HEB: [חֲבֵרֹו כ] (חֲבֵרָֽיו׃ ק)
NAS: the house of Israel, his companions.'
KJV: of Israel his companions:
INT: the house of Israel companion

Ezekiel 37:19
HEB: [חֶבְרֹו כ] (חֲבֵרָ֑יו ק) וְנָתַתִּי֩
NAS: of Israel, his companions; and I will put
KJV: of Israel his fellows, and will put
INT: and the tribes of Israel companion will put and

12 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2270
12 Occurrences


ḥā·ḇêr — 2 Occ.
ḥă·ḇê·rāw — 4 Occ.
ḥă·ḇê·re·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ḥă·ḇê·rîm — 2 Occ.
ḥă·ḇê·rōw — 1 Occ.
mê·ḥă·ḇê·re·ḵā — 1 Occ.
wə·ḥaḇ·rê — 1 Occ.

2269
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