irregular feminine passive participle of כָּבַד; weightiness, i.e. magnificence, wealth; carriage, all glorious, stately.
Transliteration:kᵉbûwddâh
Pronunciation:keb-ood-daw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כְּבוּדָּה (kᵉbûwddâh, `{{H3520}}`) is an irregular feminine passive participle derived from the root כָּבַד (kābad, `{{H3513}}`), meaning "to be heavy," "to be weighty," and by extension, "to be honored," "to be glorious," or "to be rich." As a participle, כְּבוּדָּה signifies "that which is weighty" or "that which is glorified/honored." Its semantic range extends to encompass concepts of magnificence, splendor, wealth, and a stately or glorious appearance. The inherent "weightiness" can refer both to literal heavy possessions or to the substantial nature of honor and glory. It denotes a state of being endowed with significant substance, whether material or honorific.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כְּבוּדָּה (kᵉbûwddâh, `{{H3520}}`) appears in two distinct contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each illuminating a facet of its meaning:
1. **Psalm 45:13**: "The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold." Here, כְּבוּדָּה describes the "all glorious" state of the king's daughter. The context is a royal wedding psalm, celebrating the beauty and majesty of the bride. The phrase "all glorious within" (כְּבוּדָּה פְנִימָה) suggests an intrinsic splendor or an inner magnificence that is perhaps even more profound than her outward adornment of "wrought gold." This usage emphasizes the aspect of honor, majesty, and inherent glory.
2. **Isaiah 30:6**: "The burden of the beasts of the South. Through a land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the lion and lioness, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches on the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that shall not profit them." In this prophetic oracle concerning Judah's reliance on Egypt, כְּבוּדָּה is translated as "riches" or "treasures." The verse depicts the heavy cargo—the valuable possessions and wealth—being transported by animals. Here, the "weightiness" aspect of the root כָּבַד (kābad, `{{H3513}}`) is literal, referring to the substantial and burdensome nature of material wealth. The context underscores the futility and danger of placing trust in such earthly "weight" rather than in divine provision.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant linguistic connection for כְּבוּדָּה (kᵉbûwddâh, `{{H3520}}`) is its verbal root כָּבַד (kābad, `{{H3513}}`), which forms the semantic core of "heaviness," "weight," "honor," and "glory." Several other related nouns derive from this root, enriching our understanding:
* **כָּבוֹד** (kāvôd, `{{H3519}}`): This is the most common and direct cognate, meaning "glory," "honor," "splendor," "reputation," or "wealth." While כָּבוֹד often denotes the manifest presence or inherent glory of God, כְּבוּדָּה tends to describe the state of being glorious or the substantial nature of valuable possessions. The two words are closely related in meaning, with כְּבוּדָּה often emphasizing the *state* of possessing glory or wealth.
* **כָּבֵד** (kābēd, `{{H3515}}`): An adjective meaning "heavy," "great," "numerous," or "grievous." This highlights the literal "weight" aspect of the root.
* **כָּבֵד** (kābēd, `{{H3516}}`): The noun for "liver," likely named for its perceived heaviness among internal organs.
Conceptually, כְּבוּדָּה is intertwined with ideas of majesty, opulence, dignity, and the tangible manifestation of importance or value, whether spiritual or material.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of כְּבוּדָּה (kᵉbûwddâh, `{{H3520}}`) offers significant theological insights. In Psalm 45:13, the "all glorious" nature of the king's daughter, often interpreted typologically as the Church or the Messiah's bride, points to an inherent and divinely bestowed splendor. This glory is not merely external adornment but originates from an inner spiritual reality. It speaks to the beauty, honor, and inherent value that God places upon His people, reflecting His own glory (כָּבוֹד, `{{H3519}}`) in them. This usage underscores a theological principle that true glory and honor are rooted in divine relationship and character, not superficial display.
Conversely, in Isaiah 30:6, the "heavy cargo" of possessions represents a misplaced trust in human alliances and material wealth. The prophet critiques Judah's reliance on Egypt's resources, which are depicted as a cumbersome burden that ultimately yields no profit. Here, כְּבוּדָּה serves as a warning against the spiritual peril of seeking security and significance in earthly "weightiness." It highlights the futility of accumulating and depending on material riches when the true source of help and salvation is God alone. The "weight" of these treasures becomes a symbol of misplaced priorities and a spiritual burden rather than a blessing. Together, these two occurrences reveal the tension between true, divinely-imparted glory and the deceptive, burdensome nature of earthly wealth when it supplants trust in God.
### Summary
כְּבוּדָּה (kᵉbûwddâh, `{{H3520}}`) is a Hebrew term signifying "weightiness," "magnificence," "wealth," and "glory." Derived from the root כָּבַד (kābad, `{{H3513}}`), it shares a close semantic range with כָּבוֹד (kāvôd, `{{H3519}}`), emphasizing the state of being glorious or the substantial nature of possessions. Its limited biblical occurrences reveal a fascinating duality: in [[Psalm 45:13]], it describes the inherent, divinely-imparted glory and splendor of the king's daughter, reflecting spiritual beauty and honor. In contrast, [[Isaiah 30:6]] employs it to denote the physical "riches" or "treasures" carried as heavy cargo, serving as a cautionary illustration of the futility and burden of misplaced trust in material wealth. Theologically, כְּבוּדָּה thus points to the contrast between genuine, God-given glory and the deceptive weight of earthly possessions that can lead to spiritual detriment.
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