Word Study for H3535 (כִּבְשָׂה)

kibsâh /kib-saw'/ Ask about this word

Rootor כַּבְשָׂה · feminine of כֶּבֶשׂ

Meaninga ewe

KJV usage(ewe) lamb.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kibsâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word kibsâh, represented by H3535, is the feminine term for a ewe lamb. According to its definition, it is the feminine of כֶּבֶשׂ (kebes), the word for a male lamb. It appears a total of 8 times in 8 unique verses, where it is used in specific contexts of sacrificial law, covenant making, and poignant narrative.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical record, H3535 serves distinct purposes. In the legal codes, a ewe lamb of the first year and without blemish is specified as a sin offering for the Nazirite vow Numbers 6:14 and as part of the purification ritual for a cleansed leper Leviticus 14:10. The word is also central to the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, where Abraham sets aside seven ewe lambs as a physical "witness" to his ownership of a well Genesis 21:28-30. In a dramatic narrative, the prophet Nathan uses the story of a poor man's one "little ewe lamb," which was cherished like a daughter, to confront King David about his sin 2 Samuel 12:3-4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a broader context for sacrificial animals, particularly male sheep:

H3532 kebes: This is the direct masculine counterpart to kibsâh, meaning "a ram (just old enough to butt); lamb, sheep." It is often listed alongside the ewe lamb in sacrificial requirements, such as the two he lambs required with the one ewe lamb for the leper's cleansing Leviticus 14:10.
H352 ʼayil: This word for ram also appears in offerings alongside the ewe lamb. In the Nazirite offering, a ram is designated for the peace offerings, while the ewe lamb is for the sin offering Numbers 6:14. The term's root suggests strength, as it can also mean a chief, a strong tree, or a post.

Theological Significance

The theological and symbolic weight of H3535 is shown in its specific applications.

Symbol of Covenant: The seven ewe lambs in Genesis are not a payment but a tangible, living testimony to an agreement. Their presence serves as a witness to the truth of Abraham's claim, solidifying the covenant he made Genesis 21:30.
Representation of Personal Value: In Nathan's parable, the ewe lamb represents something precious and deeply loved, which "was unto him as a daughter" 2 Samuel 12:3. Its theft illustrates a profound and heartless violation, highlighting the depth of sin.
Component of Atonement: The designation of a ewe lamb as a "sin offering" Numbers 6:14 gives it a specific role in ritual atonement. Its selection, required to be "without blemish," points to the need for purity in sacrifices meant to restore a right relationship with God.

Summary

In summary, H3535 is a precise term that carries significant meaning despite its infrequent use. More than just a generic lamb, the kibsâh, or ewe lamb, functions as a required element in sacred offerings, a binding witness in a foundational covenant, and a powerful symbol of cherished innocence in one of scripture's most memorable parables. Its use demonstrates how specific elements of the created world were imbued with legal and spiritual significance.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 8 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

כַבְשָׂה
כְּבָשֹׂת
כִּבְשֹׂת
כִּבְשַׂת

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis and 2 Samuel (3 verses each); never once in the other 35.

Genesis

Leviticus

Numbers

2 Samuel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.