You may know the Hebrew word for country – ארץ

. When Israelis refer to Israel, they often call it הארץ

– literally, the land.

For example:

עלינו לארץ כשאתם הייתם ילדים קטנים.

We immigrated to Israel when you guys were little kids.

ארץ

also means earth (perhaps you spot the etymological connection between Eretz and Earth), as well as land. And while חבל

generally means rope, it also helps form the phrase חבל ארץ

– a “region” or “area of land”.

For example:

הגליל הוא חבל ארץ יפה במיוחד.

The Galilee is an especially beautiful region.

What does an area of land have to do with a rope? People used to draw borders using rope.