Original Word: חוֹבָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: chowbah
Pronunciation: kho-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (kho-baw')
KJV: Hobah
NASB: Hobah
Word Origin: [feminine active participle of H2247 (חָבָה - hide)]

1. hiding place
2. Chobah, a place in Syria

Hobah

Feminine active participle of chabah; hiding place; Chobah, a place in Syria -- Hobah.

see HEBREW chabah

Word Origin
from chub
Definition
a place N. of Damascus
NASB Translation
Hobah (1).

חוֺבָה proper name, of a location Genesis 14:15, north of Damascus; modern –oba, 20 hours north of Dam., according to Wetzst^{Del Gn. ed. 4, 561 ff.} so Di.

Biblical Setting and Context

The single occurrence of חוֹבָה is found in Genesis 14:15, where Abram pursued the forces of Chedorlaomer “as far as Hobah, north of Damascus”. The verse forms part of the narrative in which Abram rescues his nephew Lot after the coalition of four eastern kings had defeated the kings of the Jordan Valley and carried off captives and plunder from Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:1-12). Abram’s nighttime attack, the long pursuit to Hobah, and the subsequent recovery of the captives mark the first recorded military action by the patriarch and show the far-reaching impact of his leadership and God’s favor.

Geographical Setting

Hobah is described only as being “north of Damascus.” Damascus lay along the major trade routes linking Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean world. Pursuing the enemy beyond Damascus demonstrates both the thoroughness of Abram’s victory and the extensive terrain covered. Although the exact site remains unidentified, its placement on the northern fringe of Damascus situates Hobah close to the great caravan roads, reinforcing the strategic and economic stakes of the conflict.

Historical Significance

1. Early Patriarchal Warfare: Genesis 14 may preserve one of the oldest accounts of organized warfare in Scripture, predating Israel’s national formation. Hobah anchors the narrative in recognizable geography and underscores Abram’s willingness to act decisively outside Canaan for the sake of covenant family ties.
2. International Scope: The reach to Hobah illustrates the global dimensions of the Abrahamic promise. Even before the covenant is formally ratified in Genesis 15, Abram’s influence extends into regions later contested by Israel’s kings (see 2 Samuel 8:5-6) and ultimately included in prophetic visions of Israel’s future borders (Isaiah 17:1, Jeremiah 49:23-27).
3. Prelude to Melchizedek: The return journey from Hobah brings Abram to the Valley of Shaveh, where he meets Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20). The triumph at Hobah thus sets the stage for a priest-king blessing that reaches into the Messianic typology of Hebrews 7:1-3.

Theological Themes

• Covenant Faithfulness and Courage: Abram’s pursuit to Hobah exemplifies how covenant loyalty motivates sacrificial action (Galatians 6:10). The distance covered highlights faith in God’s protection rather than reliance on numbers.
• Divine Provision in Warfare: The text attributes success to God’s hand (Genesis 14:20). Hobah becomes a marker of God’s deliverance that foreshadows later victories such as Gideon’s night attack (Judges 7:16-22).
• Boundaries of the Promised Realm: While Abram fights outside the immediate land of promise, the episode anticipates the expansion of blessing “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Hobah stands as an early signpost of the outward-looking mission inherent in the Abrahamic covenant.

Ministry Insights and Applications

• Intercessory Action: Abram’s initiative teaches believers to take concrete steps when fellow believers are in danger, moving beyond comfortable boundaries to bring rescue (James 2:15-17).
• Spiritual Warfare: Hobah illustrates persistence in battle until the enemy is fully routed, encouraging perseverance in prayer and holiness (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Stewardship of Victory: Abram refuses the spoils from the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:22-24), modeling integrity after triumph. Ministry success must be followed by humility and worship.

Related Scripture Cross-References

• Genesis 14:14-16 – The pursuit and victory.
• Isaiah 41:2-3 – God raises one “from the east” who pursues his enemies; a thematic echo.
• Hebrews 11:8-12 – Abram’s faith that undergirds the Hobah campaign.
• Hebrews 7:1-10 – Melchizedek’s blessing flowing out of the Hobah victory.
• 2 Samuel 8:3-6 – David’s campaigns near Damascus, reflecting long-term covenant fulfillment.

Archaeological and Historical Notes

While the site remains unexcavated, proposals locate Hobah amid the Anti-Lebanon range or in the Beqaa corridor, zones known for Bronze-Age travel routes. The lack of firm identification parallels many patriarchal sites, underscoring the tent-dwelling, pilgrim character of the early narratives. Records of eastern coalitions campaigning westward in the Mari tablets and other Mesopotamian sources lend credibility to the historical backdrop of Genesis 14.

See Also

• Damascus – a key city associated with Abram’s servant Eliezer (Genesis 15:2) and later prophetic oracles.
• Chedorlaomer – the Elamite king defeated at Hobah.
• Lot – recipient of Abram’s deliverance and later object of mercy in Genesis 19.

חוֹבָ֔ה חובה choVah ḥō·w·ḇāh ḥōwḇāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts