plural of לָבִיא; lionesses; Lebaoth, a place in Palestine; Lebaoth. See also בֵּית לְבָאוֹת.
Transliteration:Lᵉbâʼôwth
Pronunciation:leb-aw-oth'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term לְבָאוֹת (Lᵉbâʼôwth), Strong's number `{{H3822}}`, carries a dual semantic range. Its primary and literal meaning is "lionesses," serving as the plural form of the noun לָבִיא (laviy), `{{H3827}}`, which denotes a "lion" or "lioness." This zoological definition highlights the presence and significance of these formidable creatures in the ancient Near East. Beyond its direct animal reference, לְבָאוֹת also functions as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location in ancient Palestine. This place name, Lebaoth, is strongly associated with the animal meaning, suggesting that the area may have been known for its population of lionesses or that the name carried symbolic significance related to the animal's characteristics. The close relationship to בֵּית לְבָאוֹת (Beyth Lᵉbâʼôwth), `{{H1030}}`, meaning "House of Lionesses," further underscores this connection, indicating a settlement either named for its wild inhabitants or perhaps for a tribal or familial association with the lion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term לְבָאוֹת (Lᵉbâʼôwth), `{{H3822}}`, appears exclusively as a place name in the biblical text. Its sole occurrence is found in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 15:32]]: "And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:"
In this verse, Lebaoth is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the southern region of the Negeb. This detailed enumeration of towns served to delineate the tribal boundaries and confirm the fulfillment of God's promise of land to Israel. The inclusion of Lebaoth in this precise geographical inventory underscores its existence as a recognized settlement within the tribal inheritance. Significantly, the parallel passage in [[1 Chronicles 4:32]] lists "Beth-Lebaoth" (`{{H1030}}`) instead of "Lebaoth" when recounting the settlements of the tribe of Simeon (who received enclaves within Judah's territory). This textual variation strongly suggests that "Lebaoth" and "Beth-Lebaoth" refer to the same location, with the latter perhaps being the fuller or more formal name, emphasizing its identity as a "house" or settlement associated with "lionesses." The context is purely geographical and administrative, detailing the divinely ordained distribution of the Promised Land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is לָבִיא (laviy), `{{H3827}}`, the singular form from which לְבָאוֹת (Lᵉbâʼôwth) derives its literal meaning of "lioness" or "lion." This connection is foundational to understanding the etymology of the place name. Directly linked is בֵּית לְבָאוֹת (Beyth Lᵉbâʼôwth), `{{H1030}}`, "House of Lionesses," which confirms the place's identity and its likely origin from the animal.
Beyond these immediate lexical connections, לְבָאוֹת relates to a broader semantic field of terms for "lion" in Hebrew, such as אֲרִי ('ariy), `{{H738}}`, לַיִשׁ (layish), `{{H3833}}`, and כְּפִיר (kᵉphiyr), `{{H3918}}`. These terms collectively highlight the lion's pervasive presence and symbolic significance in the ancient world. The concept of place names derived from local fauna or geographical features is also a related concept, common in ancient Near Eastern toponymy, reflecting the natural environment and human interaction with it.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical marker within the tribal allotments, the direct theological significance of Lebaoth (`{{H3822}}`) is primarily in its contribution to the narrative of divine promise and fulfillment. Its mention in [[Joshua 15:32]] is part of the meticulous account of Israel's inheritance, demonstrating God's faithfulness in providing a land for His people, precisely as He had sworn. The very act of naming and listing these towns, including one named for "lionesses," underscores the divine ordering of creation and the detailed nature of God's provision.
While the place name itself does not carry overt theological teaching, its underlying meaning "lionesses" subtly evokes broader biblical themes. The lion, and by extension the lioness, is a potent symbol in Scripture, representing strength, ferocity, royalty (as with the tribe of Judah, [[Genesis 49:9]]), and sometimes danger or divine judgment (e.g., God acting as a lion, [[Hosea 5:14]]). The presence of "lionesses" in the land given to Israel speaks to the wild, untamed aspects of creation that God's people were to inhabit and, in some sense, subdue. It reminds us of God's sovereignty over all creation, even its more formidable elements, and His ability to establish His people securely within such an environment. The name Lebaoth, therefore, serves as a quiet testament to God's detailed provision and His dominion over both the land and its creatures.
### Summary
לְבָאוֹת (Lᵉbâʼôwth), `{{H3822}}`, is a Hebrew term bearing a dual meaning: literally "lionesses" (the plural of `{{H3827}}`) and, more commonly in biblical usage, a place name. It appears once in the Old Testament, in [[Joshua 15:32]], where it is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the Negeb. This geographical reference is corroborated by the parallel mention of בֵּית לְבָאוֹת (Beyth Lᵉbâʼôwth), `{{H1030}}`, in [[1 Chronicles 4:32]], suggesting the same location and affirming the etymological link to "house of lionesses." While primarily a geographical marker confirming the fulfillment of God's land promises, the underlying meaning of "lionesses" subtly points to the wild yet divinely appointed nature of the Promised Land. It also implicitly connects to the broader biblical symbolism of lions, representing power, danger, and the sovereign presence of God over all creation.
TRV