חוֹבָה (cho.vah)
cho.vah
Hobah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun chovah appears only once in Scripture, referring to a specific location in Genesis 14:15. It identifies Hobah, a city situated north of Damascus where Abraham’s forces pursued and defeated the coalition of kings who had captured Lot and the people of Sodom.
Lexical sources consistently translate the name as "hiding place." This etymology provides a striking contrast to the narrative context: rather than a refuge for the fleeing captives, it becomes the site of their deliverance. The city’s name serves as a historical marker in the text, pinpointing the geographical extent of Abraham’s military campaign without further elaboration on its political or cultural significance.
Because this word is restricted to a single occurrence, it does not develop a broader theological theme across the Bible. Its primary value lies in helping readers visualize the specific geography of the ancient Near East during the time of the patriarchs, grounding the account of Abraham’s rescue mission in a real, named location.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hobah appears only once in the Bible, marking a specific point in Abraham’s rescue mission. Located near Damascus, this place was not a hiding spot for the captives, but rather the boundary where God’s deliverance overtook human conflict. It reminds us that God can use even distant, unfamiliar places to bring about justice and freedom.
When we face situations where loved ones are taken or hope seems lost, Abraham’s example offers comfort. He acted with courage, trusting God’s promise while taking practical steps. This single word anchors the story in real history, showing that God is active in the details of our world, guiding us toward restoration and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hobah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חוֹבָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:15
He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
This verse identifies Hobah as the northern limit of Abraham’s pursuit, showing where his victory over the kings was fully secured.