חָבַשׁ (cha.vash)
cha.vash
to saddle/tie
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb chavash describes the act of binding or wrapping something firmly in place. Its core meaning covers practical tasks like saddling a donkey for travel, as seen when Abraham prepares his servants and animals in Genesis 22:3, or tying a turban around a head. It also applies to medical care, where it means to bind up wounds, a usage that appears in Isaiah 61:1 and Job 5:18.
This word carries a significant figurative weight by extending from physical binding to governance and healing. In Job 34:17, the text asks if one who hates justice can govern, using chavash to imply holding authority or restraining chaos. Similarly, Isaiah 61:1 links the act of binding up the brokenhearted with proclaiming liberty, showing how physical care translates into spiritual restoration.
The range of chavash illustrates a connection between restraint and care. Whether securing a saddle for a journey or wrapping a bandage around an injury, the action involves bringing order to something loose or broken. This duality allows the word to describe both the preparation for movement and the healing that restores wholeness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chavash describes a firm binding or securing action. In everyday life this meant saddling a donkey for travel as Abraham did in Genesis 22:3. It also covered practical care such as tying headbands or wrapping wounds. This dual use shows how the ancient world saw order and healing as connected tasks.
For your faith this word offers a gentle picture of God's care. Isaiah 61:1 speaks of binding up the brokenhearted. This suggests that spiritual restoration involves careful attention to what is loose or hurting. You are not left to manage your pain alone. The same God who prepares for journeys also tends to your wounds.
When life feels chaotic or painful remember that binding brings stability. Whether you face a long journey or a deep injury the image of chavash reminds you that care and preparation go hand in hand. Trust that God is attentive to both your path and your healing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he saddled5×
- saddle2×
- will he govern1×
- to/ bind up1×
- they have been bound up1×
- saddled1×
- he restrains1×
- binds up1×
- bind up1×
- and/ you will bind on1×
- and/ they saddled [it]1×
- and/ they saddled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חִבְשׁוּ\־2×
- וַֽ/יַּחֲבֹשׁ֙2×
- לַ/חֲבֹ֣שׁ1×
- יַחֲב֑וֹשׁ1×
- חֻבָּ֔שׁוּ1×
- חֹבֵ֔שׁ1×
- חִבֵּ֑שׁ1×
- חֲבוּשִׁ֔ים1×
- חֲבֻשִׁ֗ים1×
- חֲבֹ֤שׁ1×
- חֲבֹ֣שׁ1×
- וּ֝/מְחַבֵּ֗שׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:3
Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.
This verse shows the practical meaning of saddling a donkey for a difficult journey.
-
Isaiah 61:1
The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
The prophet uses binding imagery to describe God's mission to heal emotional pain.
-
Job 5:18
For he wounds and binds up. He injures and his hands make whole.
Job contrasts God wounding with His ability to bind up injuries showing total sovereignty over suffering.
-
Psalms 147:3
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
The psalmist declares that God actively binds the wounds of those with broken hearts.