קָבַל (qa.val)
qa.val
to receive
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qabal primarily means to take or receive something into one’s possession. In the Old Testament, it appears in eleven verses, with a notable concentration in the book of Esther and parts of Job and 2 Chronicles. The word often describes the act of accepting an offer, taking on a role, or receiving a gift, reflecting a straightforward transactional or relational exchange.
A key distinction lies in its grammatical forms. In the Piel stem, it emphasizes active choice—such as choosing to accept a responsibility or assuming a position. For instance, characters in Esther use it when deciding to take action or accept a fate. The Hiphil form is rarer and carries a sense of correspondence or showing oppositeness, highlighting how one thing aligns with another. This nuance adds depth to its basic meaning of reception.
Translators typically render qabal as "receive" or "accept," but the context often reveals whether the action involves willingness or obligation. Its usage in Esther underscores themes of decision-making and consequence, while its appearance in Job reflects moments of personal acceptance or endurance. The word’s simplicity belies its theological weight, reminding readers that receiving is not passive but involves engagement and response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qabal describes more than just passively getting something; it involves an active acceptance of what is given. When we read about characters in Esther or Job using this term, we see individuals making conscious choices to embrace their circumstances, whether those are gifts from God or difficult realities. This suggests that receiving is a relational act, one that requires engagement rather than mere observation.
In our own lives, this concept invites us to consider how we respond to the moments and people placed before us. It is not always easy to accept what comes our way, yet the text reminds us that there is dignity in willing acceptance. By choosing to receive instruction or counsel, as seen in Proverbs, we open ourselves to wisdom that guides our future steps.
Ultimately, this word points to a posture of humility and trust. Whether receiving comfort or correction, the act of accepting what God offers allows His purposes to take root in our hearts. It is an invitation to rest in the knowledge that what we receive from Him is purposeful, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will we accept?2×
- take1×
- he accepted [them]1×
- and/ they took1×
- and/ they received [it]1×
- and/ they received1×
- and/ they accepted1×
- and/ he accepted1×
- and/ accept1×
- [will be] opposite1×
- [were] opposite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַקְבִּילֹת֙2×
- קַבֶּל\־1×
- קִבֵּֽל\׃1×
- נְקַבֵּל֙1×
- נְקַבֵּ֑ל1×
- וַֽ/יְקַבְּלוּ֙1×
- וַ/יְקַבְּל֤וּ1×
- וְ/קַבֵּ֣ל1×
- וְ/קִבֵּל֙1×
- וְ/קִבְּלוּ֙1×
- וְ/קִבְּל֣וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 2:10
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.
This verse highlights the theological weight of receiving by contrasting acceptance of good with endurance of evil as acts of faithful trust in God's sovereignty.
-
Esther 9:23
The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them,
Here the term describes the collective decision of the Jewish people to actively adopt and preserve the custom of Purim, showing reception as a communal commitment.
-
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
The instruction to receive counsel is paired with the promise of wisdom in later years, linking active acceptance of guidance to long-term spiritual maturity.