Original Word: תַּחְבֻּלָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: tachbulah
Pronunciation: takh-boo-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-boo-law')
KJV: good advice, (wise) counsels
NASB: guidance, wise guidance, counsels, wise counsel
Word Origin: [from H2254 (חָבַל - To bind) as denominative from H2256 (חֶבֶל חֵבֶל - cord)]

1. (properly, only in plural) steerage (as the management of steering ropes on a ship)
2. (figuratively) guidance
3. (by implication) a plan

fornication, whoredom

Or tachbuwlah {takh-boo-law'}; from chabal as denominative from chebel; (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), i.e. (figuratively) guidance or (by implication) a plan -- good advice, (wise) counsels.

see HEBREW chabal

see HEBREW chebel

Word Origin
from chabal
Definition
direction, counsel
NASB Translation
counsels (1), guidance (2), wise counsel (1), wise guidance (2).

[תַּחְבֻּלָה] noun feminine direction, counsel (probably originally of rope-pulling, i.e. steering, directing a ship, see חֹבֵּל, so Thes; see De Proverbs 1:5); — only plural and only Wisdom Literature. תַּחְבֻּלוֺת absolute Proverbs 1:5 3t.; construct Proverbs 12:5; suffix תַּחבּוּלֹת֯ו Job 37:12 — direction, guidance (i.e. by God) Job 37:12 (of thunder cloud); counsels of wicked (רשׁעים) Proverbs 12:5 (opposed to מַחְשְׁבוֺת צדיקים); Generally good, wise counsels Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 11:14 ("" רֹב יועֵץ), Proverbs 24:6 ("" id.); Proverbs 20:18 ("" עֵצָה).

Semantic Range and Imagery

תַּחְבֻּלָה depicts strategic guidance that steers a course toward an intended destination. The literal backdrop is nautical, evoking the ropes or steering tackle of a ship. Figuratively, it encompasses planning, skilful counsel, and the art of aligning means to ends. Scripture employs the term for both God’s providential direction and the prudent counsel by which His people are to order their affairs.

Occurrences and Literary Context

• Job 37:12 portrays the wind-driven clouds as “turning round and round at His direction,” stressing that even the elements move by divine תַּחְבֻּלָה.
• Proverbs 1:5 urges the teachable heart: “Let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel.” Human wisdom is portrayed as something gathered, never presumed.
• Proverbs 11:14 warns that “where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Corporate well-being hinges on shared, godly strategies.
• Proverbs 12:5 contrasts “just” thoughts with “deceitful” counsels, showing that תַּחְבֻּלָה can be righteous or wicked depending on its moral root.
• Proverbs 20:18 exhorts, “Set plans by consultation; make war under sound guidance,” acknowledging that even courageous ventures must be governed by sound strategy.
• Proverbs 24:6 affirms, “For by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory lies in an abundance of counselors.” Success is not chance but the fruit of sanctified planning under collective wisdom.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereign Governance. Job 37:12 anchors all human strategizing in the prior, unwavering governance of God. His purposes steer creation itself; human counsel succeeds only when aligned with His.
2. Communal Accountability. Proverbs repeatedly links תַּחְבֻּלָה with plural “counselors,” discouraging isolated decision-making. Wisdom flourishes in community.
3. Moral Dimension of Strategy. Proverbs 12:5 exposes the ethical polarity of counsel. Strategy divorced from righteousness becomes deceit; strategy shaped by righteousness is just.
4. Warfare Motif. Proverbs 20:18 and Proverbs 24:6 apply the word to military campaigns, indicating that battle success is granted through careful, informed planning rather than sheer force.

Historical Insights

Ancient Near-Eastern navies and caravans relied on seasoned pilots who read winds, currents, and celestial signs. Israel’s sages seized that imagery to teach that life’s voyage likewise demands deliberate steering. In monarchic times counselors such as Ahithophel, Hushai, and Isaiah exemplified the decisive role of strategy in national destiny. The word thus resonated with royal courts, military leaders, and village elders alike.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Leadership: Pastors, elders, and ministry teams are to cultivate collective, Scripture-saturated planning, mirroring the “abundance of counselors” ideal.
• Personal Guidance: Believers should seek godly mentors, weigh options in prayer, and submit their plans to the Word, trusting that the Lord “directs their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
• Spiritual Warfare: Church strategy against false teaching or sin should be deliberate and communal, not reactionary, echoing Proverbs 24:6.
• Decision-Making: The contrast between righteous and wicked counsel urges discernment; motives and methods must align with God’s character, not merely desired outcomes.

Christological and New Testament Connections

Though תַּחְבֻּלָה is confined to the Old Testament, its substance ripples forward. Jesus Christ is called “Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6) and embodies perfect strategic wisdom, leading the church by His Spirit (John 16:13). The apostolic pattern of plurality—elders in every city (Titus 1:5) and the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:6-29)—reflects Proverbs’ emphasis on shared guidance. Spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 include “administrations” (kubernēsis, literally “piloting”), echoing the nautical root of תַּחְבֻּלָה and displaying continuity between the Testaments.

Summary

תַּחְבֻּלָה unites imagery of steering tackle with the practical need for thoughtful, ethical, and communal planning under God’s sovereign hand. Scripture portrays it as a divine attribute, a human responsibility, and a communal safeguard. Whether charting the course of a nation, a church, or an individual life, wise counsel is both a gift to be sought and a discipline to be exercised in reverent submission to the Lord who alone pilots history.

בְ֭תַחְבֻּלוֹת בְּתַחְבּוּלֹתָ֣יו בתחבולתיו בתחבלות וּ֝בְתַחְבֻּל֗וֹת ובתחבלות תַּ֭חְבֻּלוֹת תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת תחבלות bə·ṯaḥ·bū·lō·ṯāw ḇə·ṯaḥ·bu·lō·wṯ betachbuloTav bəṯaḥbūlōṯāw ḇəṯaḥbulōwṯ tachbuLot taḥ·bu·lō·wṯ taḥbulōwṯ ū·ḇə·ṯaḥ·bu·lō·wṯ ūḇəṯaḥbulōwṯ uvetachbuLot VetachbulotInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts