H2326 H2326
debt, indebtedness (abstract state of owing; Aramaic loan-word)
An Aramaic-influenced noun denoting debt or the state of indebtedness, appearing in Ezekiel's description of righteous conduct. The text speaks of restoring 'the pledge of debt' or 'the pledge regarding indebtedness.' Though the construction is difficult, the term clearly relates to financial obligation. The righteous person returns what was taken as security for debt, showing concern for the debtor's welfare beyond strict legal right. The word reminds us that biblical righteousness included economic justice.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The state of debt or financial obligation. Ezekiel 18:7 uses this in a challenging construction about restoring pledges—apparently the righteous return collateral taken 'regarding debt.' The term emphasizes the condition of owing rather than specific items owed. Righteous conduct means treating debtors mercifully, not exploiting their vulnerability through harsh pledging practices that compound their difficulties. 1×
AR["المَدِينُ"]·ben["জামিনের"]·DE["[חוב]"]·EN["debtor"]·FR["dette"]·heb["חוב"]·HI["ऋणी-का"]·ID["hutang"]·IT["[חוב]"]·jav["utang"]·KO["빚을-"]·PT["de-dívida"]·RU["должнику"]·ES["de-deuda"]·SW["ya-deni"]·TR["borçlu"]·urd["قرض"]
Related Senses
H5414 1. give, bestow (1855×)H3947 1. take, seize, grasp (Qal) (940×)G2192 1. possess / have (680×)G1325 1. give, bestow (336×)H5159 1. inherited land or property (170×)G2983 1. receive, obtain (134×)H3423 1. Qal: take possession of land (130×)G2983 2. take, take up (113×)G2398 1. one's own, belonging to oneself (91×)G3860 1. hand over, deliver to custody (78×)H7998 1. spoil, plunder, booty (74×)G1325 2. be given, be granted (70×)H5414 2. put, place, set (68×)H7999a 1. pay, repay, recompense (63×)H7069 1. Buy, purchase (59×)H1892 1. vanity, futility, absurdity (58×)H5159 2. heritage as covenant portion (52×)H6299 1. redeem or ransom (Qal active) (49×)H4376 1. Sell (Qal active) (47×)H1350a 1. Redeem, buy back (46×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† חוֹב n.[m.] debt (NH id.; Aramaic ܚܰܘܒܳܐ, חוֹבָא);—חֲבֹלָתוֹ ח׳ יָשִׁיב Ez 18:7 his pledge as to indebtedness he restores, v. Hi-Sm Ew§ 291 b Ges§ 131 R 5, b KöLgb. i. 497 f. and cf. Dr§ 193 (but constr. hard: Co שׁוֹב; dittogr. from חבל׳ Bev Dn 1:10, cf. v 12, 16).