Lexical Summary
aboth: cords, ropes, cordage
Original Word:עֲבֹת
Part of Speech:Noun
Transliteration:`aboth
Pronunciation:ah-VOHT
Phonetic Spelling:(ab-oth')
KJV: band, cord, rope, thick bough (branch), wreathen (chain)
NASB:cords, ropes, cordage, bonds, clouds, corded
Word Origin:[the same asH5687 (עָבוֹת עָבוֹת - leafy)]
1. something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
band, cord, rope, thick bough branch, wreathen chain
Or rabowth {ab-oth'}; or (feminine) tabothah {ab- oth-aw'}; the same asaboth; something intwined, i.e. A string, wreath or foliage -- band, cord, rope, thick bough (branch), wreathen (chain).
see HEBREWaboth
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
abathDefinitioncord, rope, cordage
NASB Translationbonds (1), clouds (1), cordage (3), corded (1), cords (8), ropes (8).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Judges 15:13#NAME?
Judges 15:14 + () (?); — absolute
Exodus 28:14 2t.; construct
Isaiah 5:18;
Psalm 129:4; suffix 3masculine singular
Job 39:10, 3masculine plural
Psalm 2:3; plural
Judges 15:13 +, +,
Exodus 28:14 +, etc.; —
cord, rope:
,Judges 15:13,14;Judges 16:11,12;Ezekiel 3:25;Ezekiel 4:8;Job 39:10 (of wild ox), so also probablyPsalm 118:27bind the festal victim ()with cords Ew Ol De Hup-Now Dr and others; >with branches Che, compare Bae Du; figurative of authorityPsalm 2:3 ("" ),Psalm 129:4.
Isaiah 5:18 i.e. with which a cart is drawn (in simile; "" ); figurativeHosea 11:4with the cords of love, of s drawing Israel ("" ).
cordage, cord, of (twisted) golden chains on high priest's breast-piece (all P): ,cordage-workExodus 28:14,22;Exodus 39:15;Exodus 28:14the chains of cords (cordlike chains);the two cordsExodus 28:24;Exodus 28:25;Exodus 39:17,18.
interwoven foliage (?) in phrase of top of a vineEzekiel 19:11 (clouds Ew Hi-Sm Toy, read then ); of cedar,Ezekiel 31:3,10,14, but in these certainlyclouds, so Ew Hi-Sm Co and others
see
Topical Lexicon
Scope of Meaning and ImageryAcross its twenty-four occurrences עֲבֹת functions as a vivid picture of strength that can either secure or restrain. In narrative prose it describes tangible cords, ropes, harnesses, or braided chains. In poetry and prophecy it extends to metaphorical bonds—of sin, oppression, covenant love, or proud self-sufficiency—and even to the thick intertwined boughs of mighty trees. However the word is used, the image is consistently that of something strong, intertwined, and binding.
Craftsmanship in the Priestly Garments (Exodus 28; 39)
The first cluster of references appears in the instructions for the ephod and breastpiece of the high priest. “You are to make braided chains of pure gold, like corded rope, and attach them to the breastpiece” (Exodus 28:22). Six verses describe these golden cords that linked the memorial stones on the shoulders to the breastpiece over the heart. The same detail is repeated inExodus 39 when the work is completed. These cords express the unity of the high priest’s ministry—shouldering the tribes’ names while carrying them upon his heart—and the unbroken strength of the mediatorial office that prefigures the perfect High Priest. The gold speaks of purity and deity; the braided construction, of corporate solidarity before God.
Bonds of Human Strength and Divine Deliverance (Judges 15–16; Psalms 2; 129)
In the Samson cycle the word appears six times for the ropes that fail to restrain the Spirit-empowered judge. “The ropes on his arms became like flax burned with fire” (Judges 15:14). Human devices, however new or numerous, cannot hinder the purpose of God. This theme re-emerges in the Psalter: “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords from us” (Psalm 2:3) is the cry of rebellious nations against the LORD and His Anointed, yet their rebellion is futile. Conversely, the righteous can sing, “The LORD is righteous; He has cut me free from the ropes of the wicked” (Psalm 129:4). Whether cords symbolize tyranny or rebellion, the outcome is the same—Yahweh snaps them with ease.
Agricultural and Daily Life Illustrations (Job 39:10;Isaiah 5:18)
The word is rooted in ordinary experience. Job is asked, “Can you bind the ox with a harness in the furrow, or will he harrow the valleys after you?” (Job 39:10). Isaiah issues a woe to those who “draw iniquity with cords of falsehood and sin with cart ropes” (Isaiah 5:18), picturing people hitched to their own evil like beasts hauling a load. Everyday farm imagery turns into moral exhortation: sin may feel manageable, yet its rope grows thicker until the sinner is enslaved.
Prophetic Symbol-Acts of Restriction (Ezekiel 3:25; 4:8)
Ezekiel is literally bound with cords as a sign to the exiles: “I will bind you with ropes, so that you cannot go out among the people” (Ezekiel 3:25). The prophet’s enforced silence and immobilization dramatize the judgment soon to fall on Jerusalem. InEzekiel 4:8 the cords are divine in origin—proof that when the word of God foretells confinement, no human resolve can break free.
Branches of Lofty Cedars—Pride and Collapse (Ezekiel 19:11; 31:3, 10, 14)
Four times עֲבֹת describes the thick intertwined boughs of towering trees: Israel’s royal line (Ezekiel 19) and Assyria likened to a stately cedar (Ezekiel 31). What looks invincible is cut down when it exalts itself. The imagery shifts from cords that bind to branches that boast, yet the lesson is identical: any strength not rooted in humility before God is destined to be broken.
Cords of Covenant Love (Hosea 11:4)
In one of the tenderest uses the Lord says, “I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.” The same word that elsewhere chains prisoners is here transformed into a gentle tether of affectionate guidance. Divine love binds not to restrict but to keep close, remove burdens, and nourish.
Liturgical Service and Sacrificial Commitment (Psalm 118:27)
“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.” The worshiper willingly fastens the victim so that it cannot escape until the offering is complete. The verse anticipates the voluntary self-giving of Christ, who allowed Himself to be bound that sinners might be set free.
Ministry Implications
• Teach God’s people that every cord is ultimately in His hands: He alone fashions bonds that protect and breaks bonds that enslave.
• Highlight the contrast between cords of sin and cords of love. UseHosea 11 as a pastoral call to repentance motivated by kindness.
• In discipleship, draw from the priestly cords: the believer bears responsibilities (shoulders) and affections (heart) that must remain inseparably linked.
• Encourage humility by recalling Ezekiel’s cedars; strong branches are no guarantee against divine pruning.
Whether decorative gold chains on a sacred garment, new ropes on Samson’s arms, cart ropes of sin, or cords of everlasting love, עֲבֹת illustrates the biblical paradox: what binds most firmly becomes either an instrument of bondage or a channel of blessing, depending on whether it is forged by human rebellion or divine grace.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּעֲבֹת֣וֹת בַּעֲבֹתִ֑ים בַּעֲבֹתִ֣ים בעבתות בעבתים הָֽעֲבֹתֹ֔ת הָעֲבֹתִ֜ים הָעֲבֹתֹ֔ת הָעֲבֹתֹ֖ת הָעֲבֹתֹ֣ת העבתים העבתת וְכַעֲב֥וֹת וכעבות עֲב֣וֹת עֲבֹ֑ת עֲבֹת֑וֹ עֲבֹתִ֑ים עֲבֹתִ֔ים עֲבֹתִ֣ים עֲבֹתִ֨ים עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ׃ עֲבֹתֹ֣ת עֲבוֹתִ֑ים עֲבוֹתִ֔ים עבות עבותים עבת עבתו עבתים עבתימו׃ עבתת ‘ă·ḇō·ṯê·mōw ‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm ‘ă·ḇō·ṯōṯ ‘ă·ḇō·ṯōw ‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯîm ‘ă·ḇō·wṯ ‘ă·ḇōṯ ‘ăḇōṯ ‘ăḇōṯêmōw ‘ăḇōṯîm ‘ăḇōṯōṯ ‘ăḇōṯōw ‘ăḇōwṯ ‘ăḇōwṯîm aVot avoTeimov avoTim avoTo avoTot ba‘ăḇōṯîm ba‘ăḇōṯōwṯ ba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm ba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯō·wṯ baavoTim baavoTot hā‘ăḇōṯîm hā‘ăḇōṯōṯ hā·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm hā·‘ă·ḇō·ṯōṯ haavoTim haavoTot vechaaVot wə·ḵa·‘ă·ḇō·wṯ wəḵa‘ăḇōwṯ
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
