a primitive root; properly, to be enclosed (as if with fat); by implication (as denominative from לֵבָב); to unheart; also as denominative from לָבִיבָה i.e.; (in a good sense) transport (with love), or (in a bad sense) stultify; to make cakes; make cakes, ravish, be wise.
Transliteration:lâbab
Pronunciation:law-bab'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root לָבַב (lâbab), `{{H3823}}`, presents a fascinating and seemingly disparate semantic range. At its most primitive, the definition suggests "to be enclosed (as if with fat)," implying a state of being covered or perhaps made dense. This core sense branches into two primary denominative usages, reflecting the richness and flexibility of the Hebrew language.
Firstly, as a denominative from לֵבָב (`{{H3824}}`, "heart"), לָבַב extends to concepts related to the inner being, particularly the intellect, will, and emotions. In a positive sense, it can mean "to transport (with love)" or "to be wise/gain understanding," indicating a deep engagement of the heart. Conversely, in a negative sense, it can mean "to unheart" or "to stultify," implying a loss of courage, understanding, or honor, leading to foolish or disgraceful actions. This range reflects the multifaceted nature of the "heart" in biblical thought, encompassing one's entire inner person.
Secondly, לָבַב also functions as a denominative from לָבִיבָה (lavivah, "cake"), leading to the very literal meaning "to make cakes." While initially appearing unrelated to the "heart" meanings, this usage grounds the word in the practicalities of daily life and sustenance. The underlying conceptual link might be the act of "enclosing" or shaping dough, paralleling the "enclosed" nature of the heart or the shaping of one's character.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The biblical occurrences of לָבַב `{{H3823}}` vividly illustrate its diverse semantic potential:
* **Leviticus 6:21**: "It shall be made with oil in a griddle, and you shall bring it in baked pieces as a grain offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." Here, the Piel form תְּלַבֵּב (telabbēb) clearly denotes the act of "making cakes" or "baking," specifically in the context of a grain offering. This passage anchors the word in the literal, culinary sense derived from לָבִיבָה.
* **2 Samuel 13:16**: After Amnon's assault, Tamar pleads, "No, my brother, for this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me." The Piel form לְלַבֵּב (lelabbeb) is used here. While translations vary (e.g., "force me," "disgrace me"), the underlying sense aligns with "stultify" or "make foolish/dishonorable." Tamar is arguing against an action that would further her public shame and diminish her standing, an act of profound folly and injustice on Amnon's part. It speaks to the stripping away of dignity or moral sense.
* **Song of Solomon 4:9**: "You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace." The Piel form לִבַּבְתִּנִי (libbabtini) here unequivocally conveys the sense of being "transported with love" or "ravished." This is a powerful expression of profound affection and captivating beauty, directly engaging the "heart" as the seat of emotion.
* **Job 11:12**: "But a senseless man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man." The Hithpael form יִתְלַבָּב (yitlabbab) is used. While the verse is an ironic statement about the impossibility of a foolish person gaining wisdom, the verb itself means "to become wise" or "to gain understanding." This connects לָבַב to the intellectual capacity of the "heart," even if it's used here to highlight its absence.
* **Psalm 76:5**: "The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep." The Nifal form נִלְבְּב֥וּ (nilbevu) is used. This can mean "to be made foolish," "to lose heart," or "to be plundered of one's courage/resolve." In context, it describes the mighty warriors of the enemy being rendered helpless and defeated, their inner strength or wisdom failing them.
These occurrences demonstrate לָבַב's remarkable versatility, moving from the concrete act of baking to the abstract states of profound love, moral disgrace, and the acquisition or loss of wisdom/courage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is לֵבָב (`{{H3824}}`), the noun for "heart," from which לָבַב `{{H3823}}` derives its emotional and intellectual meanings. לֵבָב (and its variant לֵב `{{H3820}}`) is a foundational concept in Hebrew anthropology, representing not merely the physical organ but the totality of a person's inner being: their intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. Thus, when לָבַב speaks of "ravishing the heart" or "being wise," it refers to a deep engagement or transformation of this core self.
Another crucial related word is לָבִיבָה (lavivah), the specific type of "cake" or "baked piece" from which the culinary meaning of לָבַב is derived. This word appears in [[2 Samuel 13:6, 8, 10]] in the narrative of Tamar preparing cakes for Amnon.
Conceptually, לָבַב touches upon themes of:
* **Wisdom and Folly**: As seen in [[Job 11:12]] and [[2 Samuel 13:16]], the word can describe the presence or absence of sound judgment.
* **Love and Affection**: [[Song of Solomon 4:9]] highlights its use in expressing profound romantic love.
* **Honor and Disgrace**: The context of [[2 Samuel 13:16]] ties it to actions that bring shame or diminish one's standing.
* **Courage and Defeat**: [[Psalm 76:5]] illustrates its connection to the inner resolve or its loss in battle.
* **Daily Life and Ritual**: [[Leviticus 6:21]] places it within the realm of food preparation, particularly for sacred offerings.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of לָבַב `{{H3823}}` lies in its ability to bridge the mundane and the profound, the physical and the spiritual.
The "heart" (לֵבָב) is central to one's relationship with God. When לָבַב describes a "ravished heart" ([[Song of Solomon 4:9]]), it can be seen as an echo of the human capacity for deep, consuming love, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in devotion to God. Conversely, the "stultifying" or "unhearting" aspect ([[2 Samuel 13:16]], [[Psalm 76:5]]) points to the dangers of sin and moral failure, which can corrupt the heart and lead to actions contrary to God's will and human flourishing. Such actions reveal a heart that has lost its true "wisdom" or "understanding" ([[Job 11:12]]).
Even the seemingly prosaic meaning of "making cakes" ([[Leviticus 6:21]]) carries theological weight. In the context of the grain offering, it signifies the offering of the fruits of labor and the provision of daily sustenance back to the Lord. It reminds us that even the common tasks of life can be consecrated and offered to God, integrating the sacred into the fabric of everyday existence.
Thus, לָבַב encapsulates the full spectrum of human experience: from the intimate depths of love and intellect to the moral failures that bring disgrace, and from the sacred acts of worship to the simple, necessary acts of daily provision. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the "heart" as the wellspring of life and the focal point of one's spiritual and moral being.
### Summary
The Hebrew root לָבַב (`{{H3823}}`) is a remarkably versatile verb with a dual semantic identity. Its core meaning relates to "being enclosed," which branches into two primary applications. Firstly, as a denominative from לֵבָב (`{{H3824}}`, "heart"), it describes deep emotional and intellectual states: to "ravish" or "transport with love" ([[Song of Solomon 4:9]]), to "become wise" ([[Job 11:12]]), or conversely, to "stultify," "disgrace," or "lose heart" through foolish or wicked actions ([[2 Samuel 13:16]], [[Psalm 76:5]]). Secondly, as a denominative from לָבִיבָה ("cake"), it literally means "to make cakes" or "to bake" ([[Leviticus 6:21]]). This unique blend of meanings highlights the richness of the Hebrew language, where a single root can encompass the profound depths of human emotion and intellect, the moral consequences of human action, and the practicalities of daily life and worship. לָבַב ultimately points to the centrality of the "heart" in biblical thought, as the seat of one's entire being, capable of both immense love and profound folly.
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