Lexical Summary chaber: Companion, associate, fellow Original Word: חָבֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance companion, fellow, knit together From chabar; an associate -- companion, fellow, knit together. see HEBREW chabar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom 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. Ministry Implications • Encourage believers to cultivate friendships centered on the fear of the Lord and obedience to His word (Psalm 119:63). 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 wəḥaḇrêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Psalm 119:63 Proverbs 28:24 Ecclesiastes 4:10 Songs 1:7 Songs 8:13 Isaiah 1:23 Isaiah 44:11 Ezekiel 37:16 Ezekiel 37:16 Ezekiel 37:19 12 Occurrences |
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