from כּוּן; something prepared, i.e. a sacrificial wafer; cake.
Transliteration:kavvân
Pronunciation:kav-vawn'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3561}}` (kavvân) is derived from the root `{{H3559}}` (kûn), which carries the core meaning of "to be firm, established, prepared, or set up." Therefore, `{{H3561}}` fundamentally signifies "something prepared" or "that which is made ready." In its specific biblical usage, its semantic range is narrowed to a particular type of baked good: a "cake" or "wafer." Crucially, the context in which `{{H3561}}` appears consistently associates these cakes with religious offerings, specifically those dedicated to pagan deities. The emphasis on "preparation" embedded in its etymology highlights the deliberate and intentional nature of these ritualistic items.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3561}}` appears exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, always in connection with the idolatrous worship of the "Queen of Heaven."
* In [[Jeremiah 7:18]], the prophet laments the widespread apostasy: "The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes (כַּוָּן) for the Queen of Heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger." Here, the making of the `{{H3561}}` is presented as a communal, family-wide act, demonstrating the deep entrenchment of this idolatry within Israelite society. The cakes are not incidental but are a central, prepared element of the forbidden ritual.
* Similarly, in [[Jeremiah 44:19]], in response to Jeremiah's rebuke, the people defiantly declare: "And when we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make cakes (כַּוָּן) for her, marked with her image, and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands' approval?" This verse further underscores the intentionality and public nature of the act. The mention of cakes "marked with her image" (though this specific detail is debated among scholars regarding the exact meaning of "לְהַעֲצִיבָהּ" - "to represent her" or "to cause her to be seen") reinforces their cultic significance as dedicated offerings.
In both contexts, the `{{H3561}}` cakes are not merely food items but are explicitly prepared as ritualistic offerings, central to the worship of a foreign deity, thereby standing in direct opposition to the worship of YHWH.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H3561}}` is its root, `{{H3559}}` (kûn), meaning "to be firm, established, prepared." This etymological link emphasizes that the *kavvân* was not an accidental or casual item but something purposefully "prepared" for a specific function.
Conceptually, `{{H3561}}` is inextricably linked to:
* **The "Queen of Heaven":** This specific pagan deity, often identified with Astarte or Ishtar, is the sole recipient of these cakes in the biblical text. The cakes are the tangible expression of devotion to this goddess.
* **Idolatry and Apostasy:** The making and offering of `{{H3561}}` cakes are prime examples of the idolatrous practices that Jeremiah vehemently condemned. They represent a direct violation of the first commandment and the covenant relationship with YHWH.
* **Grain Offerings (e.g., `{{H4503}}` minchah):** While legitimate grain offerings in Israelite worship (e.g., [[Leviticus 2:4]]) also involved cakes or wafers, the crucial distinction lies in the *recipient* of the offering. The *kavvân* is specifically prepared for a false god, contrasting sharply with the divinely prescribed offerings to YHWH. The act of baking itself, common in both true and false worship, is rendered an abomination when directed towards idols.
### Theological Significance
The `{{H3561}}` (kavvân) holds profound theological significance as a potent symbol of Israel's spiritual infidelity and deep-seated apostasy.
* **Manifestation of Rebellion:** The preparation and offering of these cakes represent a tangible and deliberate act of rebellion against YHWH. It signifies a turning away from the exclusive worship of the covenant God and a embrace of pagan cults.
* **Pervasive Idolatry:** The communal involvement in making the *kavvân* (children, fathers, women) underscores how deeply entrenched and widespread this idolatry had become within Israelite society. It was not a marginal practice but a family affair, illustrating the comprehensive nature of their spiritual corruption.
* **Provocation of Divine Wrath:** Jeremiah's condemnation of the *kavvân* and its associated rituals highlights God's righteous anger and jealousy over His people's unfaithfulness. The cakes are a concrete representation of the sin that provoked divine judgment and led to the nation's downfall.
* **Contrast with True Worship:** Implicitly, the *kavvân* stands in stark contrast to the pure and prescribed worship of YHWH. While YHWH commanded specific offerings, the *kavvân* represents human-invented, unauthorized, and ultimately blasphemous worship directed towards false deities. It symbolizes a perversion of the very act of offering and devotion.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3561}}` (kavvân) refers to a "cake" or "wafer" that is specifically "prepared" (from `{{H3559}}`) for cultic purposes. Its limited but significant occurrences in [[Jeremiah 7:18]] and [[Jeremiah 44:19]] consistently link it to the idolatrous worship of the "Queen of Heaven." Theologically, the `{{H3561}}` serves as a powerful symbol of Israel's profound apostasy, illustrating the deliberate, communal, and pervasive nature of their rebellion against YHWH. It represents a tangible manifestation of the sin that provoked divine judgment, standing in stark contrast to the pure and commanded worship of the true God.