Overview
The verb חָבַק (ḥāvaq) means “to embrace,” “to hug,” or “to hold tightly.” It appears in poetic and narrative settings, often expressing deep affection or reunion (e.g., Genesis 33:4, where Esav embraces Yaʿaqov). The root is triliteral and typically appears in the Qal stem, but can be derived in other binyanim as well.
Qal Conjugation Table
| Tense | Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past | 1st | חָבַקְתִּי | חָבַקְנוּ |
| 2nd | חָבַקְתָּ / חָבַקְתְּ | חֲבַקְתֶּם / חֲבַקְתֶּן | |
| 3rd | חָבַק / חָבְקָה | חָבְקוּ | |
| Present | — | חוֹבֵק / חוֹבֶקֶת | חוֹבְקִים / חוֹבְקוֹת |
| Future | 1st | אֶחֱבַק | נֶחֱבַק |
| 2nd | תֶּחֱבַק / תֶּחֱבְקִי | תֶּחֱבְקוּ / תֶּחֱבַקְנָה | |
| 3rd | יִחֱבַק / תֶּחֱבַק | יִחֱבְקוּ / תֶּחֱבַקְנָה | |
| Imperative | 2nd | חַבֵּק / חַבְּקִי | חַבְּקוּ / חַבֵּקְנָה |
Derived Binyanim
Niphal
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | נֶחְבַּק | was embraced |
| Infinitive | לְהֵחָבֵק | to be embraced |
| Participle | נֶחְבָּק | being embraced |
Piel
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | חִיבֵּק | he hugged (intensively) |
| Infinitive | לְחַבֵּק | to hug |
| Participle | מְחַבֵּק | hugging |
Hiphil
This verb is typically not attested in the Hiphil binyan, as the root does not lend itself to causative usage (e.g., “to cause to embrace”).
Usage Examples
- Genesis 33:4: “וַיָּרָץ עֵשָׂו לִקְרָאתוֹ וַיְחַבְּקֵהוּ” — “And Esav ran to meet him… and embraced him.”
- 2 Kings 4:16: “כָּעֵת חַיָּה אַתְּ חֹבֶקֶת בֵּן” — “At this time next year, you will be embracing a son.”
Summary
The verb חָבַק offers rich emotional nuance in the Hebrew Bible, often used to describe reconciliation, love, or prophetic promises. It is active primarily in Qal and Piel, rarely appearing in passive or causative forms. Its poetic and human warmth is especially vivid in narrative texts, reflecting the closeness and restoration between individuals.
✓
