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The Hebrew Verb חָבַק – “To Embrace”

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.,… Learn Hebrew
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