תֵּבֵל
te.vel (H8398)
world
AI Word Study
# The Hebrew Word for "World" (H8398: תֵּבֵל) The Hebrew term *tebel* appears 36 times throughout the Bible and carries the fundamental meaning of "world." Based on its frequency and distribution across biblical texts, this word functioned as a standard way for Hebrew speakers to reference the inhabited world or the earth as a whole. The relatively high number of occurrences suggests it was an established, conventional term rather than a rare or specialized vocabulary choice. While the lexicon data provided does not detail the specific contexts in which *tebel* appears, its consistent translation as "world" indicates it served an important conceptual function in biblical discourse. The term allowed writers and speakers to express ideas about the scope of human habitation, divine governance over creation, or the contrast between earthly and heavenly realms. Its presence across 36 biblical passages demonstrates that discussions of cosmic or global scope were woven throughout Hebrew scripture, whether in prophetic literature, wisdom texts, psalms, or historical narratives. Without additional context data showing how *tebel* compares to related terms or appears in specific passages, the lexicon reveals only that Hebrew speakers possessed this established word to denote "world" as a distinct semantic concept. Its frequency suggests it was neither archaic nor rare, but rather a reliable vocabulary choice for expressing ideas about humanity's place within a broader terrestrial sphere.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s. He has set the world on them.
Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by Yahweh’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved.
He will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it.
Let all the earth fear Yahweh. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.
The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours, the world and its fullness. You have founded them.
Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved.
Say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.
before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.
Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the arrogance of the terrible.
who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities, who didn’t release his prisoners to their home?”
Prepare for slaughter of his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, that they not rise up and possess the earth, and fill the surface of the world with cities.
All you inhabitants of the world, and you dwellers on the earth, when a banner is lifted up on the mountains, look! When the trumpet is blown, listen!
The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
We have been with child. We have been in pain. We gave birth, it seems, only to wind. We have not worked any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bud. They will fill the surface of the world with fruit.
Come near, you nations, to hear! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains hear, the world, and everything that comes from it.
God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.
“He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens.
The kings of the earth didn’t believe, neither did all the inhabitants of the world, that the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem.
The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.