Lexical Summary chittul: Swaddling cloth, wrapping Original Word: חִתּוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roller From chathal; swathed, i.e. A bandage -- roller. see HEBREW chathal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chathal Definition a bandage NASB Translation bandage (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חִתּוּל noun [masculine] bandage — ׳ח Ezekiel 30:21, for broken arm (in figurative of Pharaoh's broken arm). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Ezekiel 30:21: “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up with a bandage or wrapped with a cloth so that it may be strong enough to wield the sword.” חִתּוּל portrays the cloth used to secure and stabilize a broken limb. The lone appearance makes the image all the more vivid—Egypt’s power is shattered and left untreated by any restorative care. Imagery and Symbolism 1. Disability versus restored strength – A broken arm that remains un-bandaged cannot fight; likewise, a nation or individual opposing God is rendered powerless. Historical Context: Egypt’s ‘Broken Arm’ Ezekiel prophesied during the waning years of Judah’s independence (early sixth century BC). Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) was courting Judah’s trust against Babylon. The oracle announces that Egypt’s military might—its “arm”—will be snapped and left without treatment. Politically, the image forecast Babylonian victories that would humble Egypt and demonstrate the futility of relying on foreign alliances rather than on the covenant LORD. Theological Implications • Divine sovereignty – God not only wounds but withholds the bandage, underscoring that healing and continued usefulness come solely from Him (Deuteronomy 32:39). Ministry Application Pastoral care often involves “binding up the injured” (Ezekiel 34:4). The neglected fracture of Pharaoh reminds shepherds to address brokenness promptly and thoroughly, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Churches that ignore wounded members risk leaving them spiritually incapacitated and vulnerable. Christological Foreshadowing Jesus proclaimed Himself the physician for the sick (Mark 2:17) and fulfilled Isaiah’s vision of One who “binds up the broken-hearted” (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). Where Pharaoh’s arm lay un-bandaged, Christ offers sure and complete healing: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). The contrast highlights both the severity of judgment outside of Christ and the abundance of restoration found in Him. Contemporary Reflection Believers are called to examine whether any “broken arm” in their personal lives, families, or ministries remains untreated. Prompt confession, fervent prayer, and practical acts of compassion act as the spiritual חִתּוּל, enabling renewed strength for service and warfare in the kingdom of God. Forms and Transliterations חִתּ֛וּל חתול chitTul ḥit·tūl ḥittūlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 30:21 HEB: רְפֻא֜וֹת לָשׂ֥וּם חִתּ֛וּל לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ לְחָזְקָ֖הּ NAS: or wrapped with a bandage, that it may be strong KJV: to put a roller to bind INT: healing to put A bandage wrapped may be strong 1 Occurrence |
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