חֲטֻבוֹת (cha.tu.vah)
cha.tu.vah
colored
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chatuvot refers to colored or dark-hued fabrics, appearing only once in the Bible at Proverbs 7:16. In this context, it describes the materials spread on a bed, part of the seductive scene where an adulterous woman invites a young man inside.
Its meaning is tied to visual appeal and luxury. The word suggests textiles that are dyed or patterned, intended to catch the eye and signify wealth or sensuality. This single usage highlights how such items could be used as tools of temptation in ancient wisdom literature.
Translators often render it "colored coverings" or "carpets," emphasizing its role in setting a seductive atmosphere. The rarity of the word underscores the specific nature of this warning about moral danger through alluring surroundings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chatuvot appears only once in Scripture, describing the richly dyed fabrics on a bed in Proverbs 7:16. These colored textiles were not merely decorative; they created an atmosphere of luxury and sensory appeal designed to draw someone into compromise. The text uses this vivid imagery to warn against the danger of environments that prioritize pleasure over wisdom.
For your daily life, this rare word reminds us to consider the spaces we create and enter. It invites reflection on how our surroundings might influence our choices, encouraging a mindful approach to where we spend our time and who we invite in. The focus is not on condemning beauty itself, but on recognizing when allure becomes a trap for the heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- colored fabrics1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲ֝טֻב֗וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 7:16
I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
This verse uses chatuvot to describe the seductive setting prepared by the adulterous woman, highlighting how visual luxury was employed to entice the young man.