from כָּאַב; suffering (physical or mental), adversity; grief, pain, sorrow.
Transliteration:kᵉʼêb
Pronunciation:keh-abe'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H3511}}` (כְּאֵב, *kᵉʼêb*) is derived from the verb `{{H3510}}` (כָּאַב, *ka'ab*), meaning "to be pained, grieved, or hurt." As such, `{{H3511}}` denotes the *state* or *experience* of pain, suffering, or sorrow. Its semantic range is notably broad, encompassing both physical and emotional distress. Physically, it refers to bodily ache, injury, or the discomfort associated with illness. Mentally and emotionally, it signifies grief, sorrow, anguish, and the deep emotional pain that arises from loss, disappointment, or the consequences of sin. The term also extends to general adversity or hardship, representing the burdensome nature of difficult circumstances. Thus, `{{H3511}}` captures the multifaceted reality of human suffering in its various manifestations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3511}}` appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, illuminating the pervasive nature of pain and sorrow in the human experience.
In the book of Job, a narrative deeply concerned with suffering, `{{H3511}}` is used to describe Job's profound physical and emotional torment. After his calamities, his friends sit with him for seven days, acknowledging the immensity of his pain: "For they saw that his pain was very great" [[Job 2:13]]. Here, `{{H3511}}` encapsulates the totality of Job's physical affliction and the deep emotional distress of his situation.
The prophetic books often employ `{{H3511}}` to describe the anguish of Judah and Israel due to their sin and the impending or present divine judgment. In [[Jeremiah 30:15]], the prophet relays God's rhetorical question to a rebellious Judah: "Why do you cry out over your pain? Your sorrow is incurable." This usage highlights the concept of pain as a consequence of unfaithfulness, a just recompense for their transgressions, and a deep national lament. Similarly, [[Isaiah 17:11]] speaks of a "day of pain and incurable sorrow," referring to the swift and devastating judgment upon Damascus.
In wisdom literature, `{{H3511}}` frequently appears in reflections on the human condition and the nature of life. [[Ecclesiastes 1:18]] famously states, "For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Here, `{{H3511}}` (translated as "sorrow" or "pain") refers to the mental anguish and disillusionment that can accompany deep understanding of the world's futility. [[Proverbs 14:13]] offers a poignant observation: "Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief." This verse reveals the hidden, internal nature of sorrow, suggesting that outward appearances can belie deep inner suffering.
These occurrences collectively demonstrate that `{{H3511}}` is not merely a descriptor of physical sensation but a rich term encompassing the full spectrum of human anguish, whether physical, emotional, or existential, often linked to the consequences of sin or the inherent difficulties of life in a fallen world.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding `{{H3511}}` is rich with terms describing various facets of suffering. Its verbal root, `{{H3510}}` (כָּאַב, *ka'ab*), is the direct source, meaning "to be in pain" or "to grieve." A particularly close synonym and often parallel term is `{{H4341}}` (מַכְאוֹב, *makʼôb*), which also denotes pain, sorrow, or grief, frequently with an emphasis on intense suffering. This word is notably used in Isaiah 53 to describe the Suffering Servant.
Other related terms include:
* `{{H6045}}` (עֶצֶב, *ʻetsev*): Pain, toil, or sorrow, often associated with the curse in [[Genesis 3:16]] ("in pain you shall bring forth children").
* `{{H6869}}` (צַעַר, *tsa'ar*): Distress, pain, or trouble.
* `{{H2478}}` (חֳלִי, *choliy*): Sickness or disease, which inherently involves physical pain.
* `{{H7451}}` (רַע, *ra'*): Evil, misery, or affliction, a broader term for negative experience.
Conceptually, `{{H3511}}` intertwines with ideas such as affliction (צָרָה, *tsarah*), lamentation (קִינָה, *qinah*), and the general human condition of hardship (עָמָל, *amal*). These words collectively paint a comprehensive picture of the challenges and sorrows faced by humanity within the biblical narrative.
### Theological Significance
The presence of `{{H3511}}` throughout the Old Testament carries significant theological weight. It underscores the reality of suffering as an inherent part of the human experience after the Fall ([[Genesis 3:16-19]]). Pain, both physical and emotional, is often presented as a consequence of sin, whether individual or corporate, serving as a form of divine judgment or discipline intended to lead to repentance and restoration. The "pain" of Judah in Jeremiah, for instance, is directly linked to her iniquity.
However, `{{H3511}}` also appears in contexts where suffering is not directly attributed to specific sin, as seen in the book of Job. This highlights a theological tension: while pain can be punitive, it can also be part of a divine testing, a means of refinement, or a mysterious aspect of God's sovereign plan. The righteous can experience profound pain, prompting questions about divine justice and the nature of faithfulness in adversity.
Ultimately, the biblical narrative, while unflinching in its depiction of kᵉʼêb, points forward to a divine resolution. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah, though described with mak'ob (`{{H4341}}`), embodies the concept of vicarious suffering, bearing the pains and sorrows of humanity. This foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ, who, through His own suffering, addresses the root cause of all pain—sin—and offers hope for its eventual eradication. The eschatological vision of a new heaven and new earth promises a time when "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" [[Revelation 21:4]]. Thus, `{{H3511}}` stands as a poignant reminder of humanity's brokenness and the profound, redemptive hope found in God's ultimate plan.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3511}}` (כְּאֵב, *kᵉʼêb*) comprehensively describes suffering, encompassing both physical pain and deep emotional grief or sorrow. Derived from the verb "to be pained," its usage in the Bible reflects the pervasive nature of human anguish, whether stemming from physical ailment (Job), the consequences of sin (Jeremiah), or the inherent difficulties of life (Ecclesiastes, Proverbs). `{{H3511}}` is closely related to other terms for pain and affliction, forming a rich semantic field that portrays the multifaceted reality of human suffering. Theologically, it underscores the impact of the Fall, serves as a catalyst for divine discipline, and, in the broader biblical narrative, points toward the ultimate alleviation of all pain through the redemptive work of God in the Messiah and the promise of a future without sorrow.
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