from כָּזַב; falsified; Kezib, a place in Palestine; Chezib.
Transliteration:Kᵉzîyb
Pronunciation:kez-eeb'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כְּזִיב (Kᵉzîyb), designated by `{{H3580}}`, functions primarily as a proper noun, a geographical place name. Its core meaning is derived from the verbal root כָּזַב (kazab) `{{H3576}}`, which signifies "to lie," "to deceive," "to be false," or "to disappoint." Therefore, the name Kᵉzîyb inherently carries the semantic nuance of "falsified," "deceptive," or "a lie." As a place name, it suggests a location whose identity or history might have been associated with unreliability, disappointment, or an inherent lack of truthfulness, reflecting the character of its root.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Kᵉzîyb appears in the Hebrew Bible in a limited number of instances, primarily as a geographical marker:
* **[[Genesis 38:5]]**: "And she conceived again, and bore a son, and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him." Here, Kᵉzîyb (rendered as Chezib in some translations) is identified as the place where Judah's third son, Shelah, was born to the daughter of Shua. In this context, the name functions purely as a factual detail within a genealogical and historical narrative, providing a geographical setting for a significant birth in the lineage of Judah. The etymological meaning of the name does not appear to be overtly emphasized or exploited for theological purposes in this passage.
While Kᵉzîyb itself is not used in a direct prophetic wordplay, its root כָּזַב (kazab) `{{H3576}}` is famously employed in prophetic contexts, particularly by Micah. The related place name אַכְזִיב (ʾAkzîyb) `{{H935}}`, also derived from the same root, is used in [[Micah 1:14]]: "Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel." This demonstrates how the inherent meaning of the root kazab could be leveraged by prophets to convey messages of judgment, where a place named after "deception" would indeed prove to be unreliable or false to those who trusted in it. This prophetic wordplay, though not directly on Kᵉzîyb, illuminates the potential semantic weight carried by place names derived from this root.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of כְּזִיב (Kᵉzîyb) is anchored by its root and related terms:
* **כָּזַב (kazab) `{{H3576}}`**: The primary verbal root meaning "to lie," "to deceive," "to be false," or "to disappoint." This root is foundational to understanding Kᵉzîyb.
* **אַכְזִיב (ʾAkzîyb) `{{H935}}`**: Another significant place name, also derived from כָּזַב, meaning "deceptive" or "lie." Its usage in [[Micah 1:14]] vividly illustrates the prophetic potential of names rooted in falsehood.
* **מִכְזָב (Mikzav) `{{H4358}}`**: A noun derived from the same root, meaning "lie" or "falsehood."
* **Concepts**: The word Kᵉzîyb is intrinsically linked to broader biblical concepts such as deception, falsehood, unreliability, disappointment, and the antithesis of truth and faithfulness.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical place name, Kᵉzîyb does not, in its direct biblical occurrences, carry overt theological significance. Its primary function in [[Genesis 38:5]] is descriptive rather than didactic. However, its etymological root in כָּזַב (kazab) `{{H3576}}` connects it to a profound theological theme: the nature of truth versus falsehood.
The God of Israel is consistently portrayed as utterly truthful and faithful, incapable of deceit ([[Numbers 23:19]], [[Titus 1:2]]). Falsehood, deception, and lies are repeatedly condemned in Scripture as antithetical to God's character and destructive to human relationships and covenant fidelity ([[Proverbs 6:16-19]], [[John 8:44]]). The very name Kᵉzîyb, meaning "falsified" or "deceptive," stands in stark contrast to the divine attribute of truth. While not explicitly stated, the existence of a place bearing such a name might subtly underscore the pervasive presence of potential deception in the fallen world, contrasting with the absolute reliability of God. The prophetic use of the related name Achzib in [[Micah 1:14]] further highlights how the etymology of place names could serve as a powerful metaphor for spiritual realities, where places or promises believed to be secure ultimately prove to be "a lie."
### Summary
כְּזִיב (Kᵉzîyb) `{{H3580}}` is a Hebrew place name, transliterated as Chezib or Kezib, whose meaning is derived from the root כָּזַב (kazab) `{{H3576}}`, signifying "falsified," "deceptive," or "a lie." Its sole direct appearance in the Pentateuch is in [[Genesis 38:5]], where it designates the birthplace of Shelah, a son of Judah. While Kᵉzîyb itself does not carry overt theological weight in this context, its etymological connection to falsehood is significant. The related place name אַכְזִיב (ʾAkzîyb) `{{H935}}`, also from the same root, is prophetically employed in [[Micah 1:14]] to signify "a lie," illustrating how names rooted in deception could become symbolic of unreliability and divine judgment. Thus, Kᵉzîyb, though a mere geographical marker, subtly points to the pervasive biblical theme of truth versus falsehood, a fundamental distinction between the character of God and the nature of sin.
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