חֶ֫בֶל

From the study of 2 Samuel 8:2

Range of meaning

A rope or cord. As a tool, it is a measuring line used to survey and divide land. From that it comes to mean a measured portion or allotment, such as a tribe's or family's share of land (Joshua 17:5, 14; Psalm 105:11). It can also mean a region ('the region of Argob', Deuteronomy 3:4).

Against the English

KJV, WEB and ESV say 'line', BSB says 'cord' and 'lengths', and NIV says 'length of cord'. All are accurate. What English cannot carry is the link to land allotment: a Hebrew hearer knew the ḥevel as the tool that divided up inheritances.

Used elsewhere in the period

It is used for apportioning land and inheritance in Joshua 17:5, 19:9 and Psalm 78:55 ('he allotted them an inheritance by line'), and Psalm 16:6 says 'the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.' Prophets use the measuring line as a picture of judgement: Amos 7:17 ('your land shall be divided by line') and Micah 2:5.

From the study of Deuteronomy 32:9

Range of meaning

A rope or cord (Josh 2:15). A measuring line used by surveyors (2 Sam 8:2; Amos 7:17; Mic 2:5). Hence a measured stretch of land, a parcel or region (Josh 17:5, "ten portions"; 19:9; Deut 3:4, 13–14, "the region of Argob"). It also has other senses (a band of people, birth pangs) that do not apply here.

Against the English

KJV and WEB have "lot", YLT "line", NASB "allotment", and BSB, NIV and ESV fold it into "allotted". Only YLT keeps the rope picture. The others give the result (a measured plot) without the image of a cord stretched across a field.

How it drifted

KJV's "lot" meant a plot of land, a sense English still has ("a parking lot"). Modern readers may hear "fate" or "a lot of" instead.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 16:6: "The lines (ḥavalim) have fallen to me in pleasant places," meaning the surveyed plots assigned to me are good. Ps 105:11 = 1 Chr 16:18: "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the ḥevel of your naḥalah," the same phrase as here. Ps 78:55: "He apportioned them for a naḥalah by the line (ḥevel)." The Septuagint renders it schoinisma, a plot measured with a rope.

From the study of Proverbs 5:22

Range of meaning

A rope or cord: for measuring land, for hauling, for tying captives, and the cords of hunting snares and nets. Used figuratively in the phrases 'cords of death' and 'cords of Sheol'.

Against the English

KJV/ESV 'cords' and YLT 'ropes' are accurate. BSB drops the image into a verb ('entangle'). That is fine as an idea, but it loses the picture of a man tied up.

Used elsewhere in the period

Psalm 18:4–5: 'the cords of death encompassed me… the cords of Sheol surrounded me'. Psalm 140:5: 'the proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net'. Isaiah 5:18 has a close image: those who drag iniquity along 'with cords of falsehood' and sin 'as with cart ropes'.