### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zebed**, represented by `{{H2065}}`, means **gift** or **dowry**. Derived from the root `{{H2064}}` "to confer," it appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly significant. It captures the idea of a valuable endowment or a precious present.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H2065}}` is in [[Genesis 30:20]], spoken by Leah `{{H3812}}`. After giving birth to her sixth son, she exclaims, "God hath endued me with a good dowry." In this context, the **dowry** is the son himself, a gift from God `{{H430}}` that Leah believes will finally cause her husband `{{H376}}` to "dwell" `{{H2082}}` with her. The word thus frames a child as a divine gift intended to secure favor and fellowship within the family.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words illuminate the meaning of **zebed** within its narrative context:
* `{{H2064}}` **zâbad** (to confer; endure): This is the primitive root from which **zebed** is derived. It is used in the same verse when Leah states God has "endued" her, highlighting that the dowry is something divinely conferred upon her [[Genesis 30:20]].
* `{{H2082}}` **zâbal** (to reside; dwell with): Leah’s hope is that the **dowry** will cause her husband to **dwell with** her. This reveals the desired outcome of the gift, connecting the divine endowment to the longing for relational closeness [[Genesis 30:20]].
* `{{H2074}}` **Zᵉbûwlûwn** (habitation; Zebulun): Directly following her statement, Leah names her son **Zebulun**, a name derived from the idea of habitation or dwelling. This act solidifies the connection between God's gift (dowry) and her hope for a permanent home with her husband [[Genesis 30:20]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): The **dowry** itself is a **son**. The birth of six **sons** is the specific blessing Leah receives from God, viewing them as the substance of her good dowry and the builders of the family name [[Genesis 30:20]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2065}}` is concentrated in its single, poignant use.
* **Divine Endowment:** The term emphasizes that children are a direct gift from God `{{H430}}`. Leah does not see her son as a product of her own merit but as a "good dowry" that God "hath endued" her with, showing that blessings are conferred by divine grace [[Genesis 30:20]].
* **Hope in God's Provision:** The **dowry** is not just a gift, but a source of hope. For Leah, this divine gift represents the potential for her deepest desires—the love and companionship of her husband—to be fulfilled, linking God's provision to the restoration of human relationships [[Genesis 30:20]].
* **Memorializing God's Action:** The naming of Zebulun `{{H2074}}` immediately after mentioning the **dowry** demonstrates a response of faith. The name itself becomes a permanent "appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality" `{{H8034}}`, forever tying the identity of her son to the moment God conferred this precious gift upon her.
### Summary
In summary, while **zebed** `{{H2065}}` is a rare word, its singular use provides a powerful insight into the biblical view of divine blessing. It defines a child not merely as offspring, but as a precious **dowry** from God, a conferred gift intended to bring goodness and secure relationship. The story of Leah uses this word to capture a profound moment of hope, where a divine gift is seen as the key to fulfilling a deep human longing for acceptance and fellowship.
TRV