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The Hebrew word זָבַל (zabal) - Strong's H2082 - is a verb that appears rarely in the Bible. A primitive root; apparently properly to inclose, that is, to reside: - dwell with. In the biblical context:
- Basic meaning: The root זָבַל (zabal) means "to dwell" or "to honor by dwelling with."
- Biblical occurrences: This verb appears only once in the entire Bible, in Genesis 30:20, where Leah says after giving birth to Zebulun: "God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me (יִזְבְּלֵנִי - yizbeleni, from zabal), because I have borne him six sons."
- Usage context: In this context, the term carries the meaning of "to dwell with in honor" or "to exalt by dwelling with," referring to the hope that Jacob would now honor Leah or dwell with her more frequently due to her having given him numerous sons.
- Related name: The name of Leah's son Zebulun (זְבֻלוּן - Zebulun) derives from this root, as she explains in Genesis 30:20.
- Related noun: The noun form זְבֻל (zebul) appears a few times in the Bible, often translated as "dwelling" or "habitation," particularly in poetic texts referring to God's dwelling place (1 Kings 8:13, Isaiah 63:15, Habakkuk 3:11).
This is a rare biblical Hebrew term, but its usage in this one context reveals its connection to the concepts of dwelling together, honor, and exaltation through close relationship. |