חֶלְבָּה (chel.bah)
chel.bah
Helbah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun chelbah refers to a specific town assigned to the tribe of Asher during the settlement of Canaan, as recorded in Judges 1:31. The name itself translates to "fertile," reflecting the agricultural potential of its location. This etymology suggests that the site was valued for its productive land, likely situated on the coastal plain near Sidon.
Although the exact archaeological site remains unidentified, biblical geographers generally place it in the fertile region of Phoenicia. Its single mention in the Hebrew Bible serves as a geographical marker for the boundaries of Asher’s inheritance, highlighting the tribe’s possession of rich, arable territory rather than rugged highlands.
As a proper noun appearing only once, chelbah does not carry broader theological weight or metaphorical usage. Instead, it functions as a historical record of territorial division, anchoring the narrative of Israel’s conquest to a specific, productive piece of real estate in the northern coastal region.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Helbah appears in Judges 1:31 as one of the towns assigned to the tribe of Asher. The name means "fertile," pointing to land that was valuable for agriculture. This single mention anchors the biblical narrative in real geography, showing that God’s promises included specific places with productive soil.
While Helbah itself is not a theological concept, its inclusion reminds us that faithfulness involves engaging with the world as it is. The tribe of Asher struggled to fully possess their inheritance, yet the land remained designated for them. This history encourages readers to trust God’s timing and provision in their own lives.
Even when circumstances seem incomplete or difficult, the record of Helbah stands as a testament to God’s detailed care for His people. It invites reflection on how we steward the resources and opportunities placed before us, knowing that every detail matters to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Helbah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֶלְבָּ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 1:31
Asher didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob;
This verse lists Helbah among the cities Asher failed to displace, marking it as a specific location within their territorial inheritance.