### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H3517}}` (כְּבֵדֻת, *kᵉbêduth*) is a feminine form derived from the root `{{H3513}}` (כבד, *kābad*), which fundamentally conveys the idea of "heaviness" or "weight." While the root and its adjectival form `{{H3515}}` (כָּבֵד, *kābēd*) can denote physical weight, difficulty, severity, or even honor and glory (as in "weighty" or "significant"), kᵉbêduth specifically emphasizes the *state* or *quality* of being heavy in a burdensome or difficult sense. Its semantic range is narrow, primarily focusing on "difficulty" or "heaviness" as an impediment. It describes a condition of being weighed down or hindered, making movement or action arduous.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun `{{H3517}}` (כְּבֵדֻת, *kᵉbêduth*) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its singular usage particularly poignant and significant.
* **[[Exodus 14:25]]**: "And he took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove with difficulty (בִּכְבֵדֻת)."
In this pivotal moment of the Exodus narrative, God intervenes dramatically against the pursuing Egyptian army. The phrase "drove with difficulty" (literally, "with heaviness" or "with difficulty") describes the state of the Egyptian chariots after God removes their wheels. This act renders their primary military advantage useless, transforming their swift pursuit into a cumbersome, slow, and ultimately futile endeavor. The "heaviness" here is not merely a physical attribute but a divinely imposed impediment, a supernatural hindrance that directly contributes to their downfall in the Red Sea. The context highlights God's sovereign power to disrupt and disable the might of His enemies.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word `{{H3517}}` (כְּבֵדֻת) is intimately connected to the broader family of words stemming from the root `{{H3513}}` (כבד, *kābad*):
* **`{{H3513}}` (כבד, *kābad*)**: The verbal root meaning "to be heavy," "to be weighty," "to be difficult," "to be honored." This root encompasses both the negative sense of burden or severity and the positive sense of glory or importance.
* **`{{H3515}}` (כָּבֵד, *kābēd*)**: The adjective meaning "heavy," "difficult," "severe," "grievous," or "honored." This is the direct parent of kᵉbêduth, and examples include a "heavy heart" (e.g., [[1 Samuel 4:18]]), a "heavy hand" of God (e.g., [[1 Samuel 5:6]]), or a "heavy burden."
* **`{{H3519}}` (כָּבוֹד, *kābôd*)**: A noun meaning "glory," "honor," "splendor," or "reputation." This word, also from the same root, demonstrates the multifaceted nature of "weight" – from physical burden to metaphorical significance and divine majesty.
Concepts related to kᵉbêduth include:
* **Impediment/Hindrance**: The active blocking or slowing of progress.
* **Burden/Difficulty**: The state of being weighed down or experiencing hardship.
* **Divine Intervention/Judgment**: God's direct action to affect circumstances, often against His enemies.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of `{{H3517}}` (כְּבֵדֻת) in [[Exodus 14:25]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful illustration of several key theological truths:
1. **God's Sovereignty over Creation and Human Endeavor**: The Lord's ability to supernaturally remove chariot wheels and cause the chariots to move with "difficulty" demonstrates His absolute control over the physical world and even the most advanced human technology of the time. No human power, however mighty, can withstand His will.
2. **Divine Judgment and Deliverance**: The "heaviness" imposed upon the Egyptian chariots is an act of divine judgment against Pharaoh and his army, who oppressed Israel. Simultaneously, it is an act of deliverance for the Israelites, ensuring their escape. God creates an impossible situation for His enemies, leading to their destruction, while paving the way for His people's salvation.
3. **The Contrast of Divine Power**: While the Egyptians are rendered "heavy" and slow, God's actions throughout the Exodus narrative are characterized by swiftness and ease in delivering His people. The "heaviness" of the enemy is juxtaposed with the "lightness" of God's liberating power.
4. **The Futility of Resistance to God**: The kᵉbêduth of the chariots symbolizes the ultimate futility of human resistance against the divine will. No matter how determined or well-equipped, those who oppose God will find their efforts weighed down and rendered ineffective.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3517}}` (כְּבֵדֻת, *kᵉbêduth*) is a rare but potent term meaning "difficulty" or "heaviness" in the sense of an impediment. Its sole occurrence in [[Exodus 14:25]] vividly describes the divinely imposed hindrance upon the Egyptian chariots, causing them to move "with difficulty" as they pursued the Israelites through the Red Sea. This single usage powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over all creation, His active intervention in history to judge His enemies, and His unwavering commitment to deliver His people. The kᵉbêduth of the chariots stands as a stark testament to the overwhelming and unassailable power of the Almighty.
TRV