עָבַט (a.vat)
a.vat
to lend
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb avat describes the specific act of lending money by taking collateral, or conversely, giving something as a security deposit for a debt. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, concentrated heavily in Deuteronomy and Joel. The core meaning is not merely borrowing or giving, but the formal exchange involving a pledge to ensure repayment.
In its most common form, the word refers to taking possession of a thing pledged by a borrower. This usage carries significant social weight because it often involved seizing essential items like a neighbor’s cloak or millstone. The law in Deuteronomy restricts this practice to protect the vulnerable, requiring lenders to return such pledges before sunset so the poor person can remain warm and fed.
The term also appears in Joel with a different nuance, where God commands that He will cause many nations to give pledges or exchange goods. Here, the verb shifts from a personal debt transaction to a broader concept of interchanging or handing over security on a national scale. This rare usage highlights how the word bridges intimate economic relationships and large-scale divine judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word avat points to a specific kind of lending where collateral is involved. In ancient Israel, this was not just a financial transaction but a matter of personal dignity and survival. When someone borrowed money, they might offer their cloak or millstone as security. These were essential items needed for warmth and food, so taking them required great care and respect for the neighbor’s basic needs.
God’s law in Deuteronomy 24:10 restricts how lenders could handle these pledges. You were not to enter a neighbor’s home to seize what was owed. Instead, the borrower brought the pledge out. This rule protected the vulnerable from shame and ensured that economic help did not become an act of domination. It reminds us that our relationships should always honor the humanity of others.
In Joel, the word appears in a different context, describing nations giving pledges or exchanging goods on a large scale. This shows how the concept extends beyond personal debt to broader exchanges and judgments. For your faith, this highlights God’s concern for justice in both small daily interactions and large historical events. Trusting in His provision allows us to lend with open hands, knowing He cares for the poor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will lend to/ him1×
- you will borrow1×
- to/ take as pledge1×
- they exchange/ !1×
- and/ you will lend to1×
- and/ certainly <to lend>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔/נּוּ1×
- תַעֲבֹ֔ט1×
- לַ/עֲבֹ֥ט1×
- יְעַבְּט֖וּ/ן1×
- וְ/הַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞1×
- וְ/הַעֲבֵט֙1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 24:10
When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
This verse defines the proper conduct for taking a pledge, forbidding the lender from entering the borrower's home to seize collateral.
-
Deuteronomy 15:6
For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.
Here the word describes Israel’s future prosperity where they lend to many nations without borrowing, indicating national blessing and independence.
-
Deuteronomy 15:8
but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks.
Although the noun form is used in some translations, this verse commands opening one's hand to lend sufficient funds, linking the act of lending to generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word avat mean?
How is avat different from other words for lending?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Deuteronomy 3 verses
For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You…
Deuteronomy 15:8but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks.
Deuteronomy 24:10When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.