English · KJV
H3576

כָּזַב

kâzab /kaw-zab'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto lie (i.e. deceive), literally or figuratively
KJV usagefail, (be found a, make a) liar, lie, lying, be in vain.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kâzab — 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 kâzab, represented by H3576, is a primitive root used to describe the act of lying or deceiving. It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends from literal falsehood to the figurative concept of failure or being in vain, establishing a clear contrast between truth and deception.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3576 is most powerfully used to define the nature of God as one who cannot lie. The declaration in Numbers states, "God is not a man, that he should lie" Numbers 23:19, a promise reinforced by God's oath that he will not lie to David Psalms 89:35. In contrast, the term is frequently applied to human speech and action. Job challenges his friends, asking who will make him a liar Job 24:25, and the Psalmist exclaims in haste, "All men are liars" Psalms 116:11. The word is also used figuratively, as in the description of a spring whose waters fail not Isaiah 58:11, connecting the idea of lying with unreliability.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of deception and falsehood:

  • H3577 kâzâb (falsehood): This derivative noun signifies the lie itself. It is used to describe the lies that caused Judah to err Amos 2:4 and the leasing (falsehood) sought after by the sons of men Psalms 4:2.
  • H6601 pâthâh (deceive): This root refers to the act of deluding or enticing someone. It is used when a lying spirit is sent to persuade the prophets 1 Kings 22:22 and when sinners entice the innocent Proverbs 1:10, highlighting the manipulative aspect of deception.
  • H8267 sheqer (an untruth): This word denotes a sham or falsehood, often in the context of idolatry or false witness. It describes a "lying tongue" as something God hates Proverbs 6:17 and the falsehood of molten images that have no life in them Jeremiah 10:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3576 is significant, establishing a core biblical principle regarding truth and untruth.

  • The Veracity of God: The word is used to establish God's absolute faithfulness. His prophetic vision will not lie Habakkuk 2:3, and His very character is defined by His inability to lie Numbers 23:19. This makes truth a divine attribute.
  • Human Fallibility: In direct contrast to God, humanity is characterized by deceit. Israel lied to God with their tongues Psalms 78:36, and false prophets deliver messages by lying to the people Ezekiel 13:19. One is warned not to add to God's words, lest they be found a liar Proverbs 30:6.
  • Lying as Failure: The term's figurative use connects deception with a failure to be reliable or fruitful. A hope can be in vain Job 41:9, and a spring that is true to its nature is one that does not fail Isaiah 58:11. This equates falsehood with emptiness and unreliability.

Summary

In summary, H3576 is a crucial term that moves beyond a simple definition of untruth. It serves as a theological benchmark, sharply contrasting the perfect truthfulness of God with the capacity for deceit found in humanity. By encompassing both literal deception and figurative failure, kâzab illustrates that in the biblical worldview, to lie is to fail in one's purpose and to stand in opposition to the very nature of God.

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 verb and a noun across 18 occurrences, inflected in 13 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. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

  • אֲכַזֵּב
  • יְכַזְּבוּ
  • יְכַזֵּב
  • כְּזָבִים
  • יַכְזִיבֵ
  • נִכְזָבְתָּ
  • נִכְזָבָה
  • יכַזֵּב
  • תְכַזֵּבִי
  • תְּכַזֵּב
  • כַזֶּבְ
  • כִּזֵּב
  • כֹּזֵב

Related Words

Related

Words formed from this one

5 entries in Strong’s name this word as their origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

H391 אַכְזָב falsehood H3577 כָּזָב falsehood H3578 כֹּזְבָא fallacious H3579 כֹּזְבִי false H3580 כְּזִיב falsified

Also mentioned in the study

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6601 פָּתָה to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy H8267 שֶׁקֶר an untruth

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 16 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (4 verses); never once in the other 30.

1
Numbers
1
2 Kings
4
Job
3
Psalms
2
Proverbs
2
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel
1
Micah
1
Habakkuk

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.