English · KJV
H3833

לָבִיא

lâbîyʼ /law-bee'/ Ask about this word
Rootor (Ezekiel 19:2) לְבִיָּא
Meaningirregular masculine plural לְבָאִים; irregular feminine plural לְבָאוֹת; from an unused root meaning; compare אֲרִי; to roar; a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))
KJV usage(great, old, stout) lion, lioness, young (lion).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lâbîyʼ — 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 lâbîyʼ, represented by H3833, refers to a lion, often a great lion or lioness. It appears 14 times in 14 unique verses. The term is specifically noted as referring to a lioness as the fiercer of the species Ezekiel 19:2. In Scripture, it serves as a powerful symbol of strength, ferocity, and formidable presence, used to describe both people and divine judgment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H3833 is used to illustrate might and dominance. It is employed metaphorically to characterize the tribes of Israel, such as when Jacob blesses Judah as "an old lion" whom none dare rouse Genesis 49:9. Similarly, the tribe of Gad is depicted as one who "dwelleth as a lion" that tears at its prey Deuteronomy 33:20. Balaam's prophecy describes the people of Israel rising up "as a great lion" that will not rest until it has consumed its prey Numbers 23:24. The term also depicts terrifying enemies, as in Joel 1:6, where an invading nation is described as having "the cheek teeth of a great lion," and in Psalms 57:4, where the psalmist's soul is among lions, the sons of men whose teeth are weapons.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words build upon the imagery of the lion and its characteristics:

  • H738 ʼărîy (a lion): This is another common term for a lion, often used alongside H3833 to create a vivid picture of leonine power. In Numbers 24:9, the text describes someone laying down "as a lion H738, and as a great lion H3833."
  • H1482 gûwr (whelp, young one): This word refers to a lion's whelp or cub. It establishes a generational or familial aspect to the lion metaphor, as seen in the description of Judah as a "lion's whelp" Genesis 49:9 and in Ezekiel's parable of the lioness who nourished her whelps Ezekiel 19:2.
  • H2963 ṭâraph (to pluck off or pull to pieces; ... tear in pieces): This verb describes the violent action of a lion. It is used in Deuteronomy 33:20 to show Gad dwelling as a lion who "teareth the arm." It also describes the lion's work of providing for its family, as the lion "did tear in pieces enough for his whelps" Nahum 2:12.
  • H2964 ṭereph (prey, food): This noun signifies the prey sought by a lion. Its connection to H3833 is clear in passages like Numbers 23:24, where Israel, as a great lion, will "eat of the prey."

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3833 is significant, often conveying divine power and judgment.

  • Symbol of National and Tribal Strength: The word is used prophetically to define the character of God's people. The descriptions of Gad Deuteronomy 33:20 and Judah Genesis 49:9 as a lion establish them as figures of formidable strength and authority within Israel's future.
  • Metaphor for Divine Judgment: The lion's ferocity is used as a metaphor for God's wrath against sin. God declares He will meet a rebellious Israel "as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps... and there will I devour them like a lion" Hosea 13:8, illustrating the terrifying nature of His judgment.
  • Representation of Dangerous Foes: Figures of speech involving H3833 are used to portray the danger posed by wicked men and hostile nations. In Psalms 57:4, the psalmist's enemies are likened to lions. The land of the south is described as a place of anguish from which "come the young and old lion" Isaiah 30:6, symbolizing the perilous environment.

Summary

In summary, H3833 is much more than a zoological term. It is a cornerstone of biblical imagery for untamable power, ferocity, and regal strength. Whether used to characterize the tribes of Israel, to depict an instrument of divine judgment, or to represent the peril of surrounding enemies, lâbîyʼ consistently communicates an awesome and formidable presence. The word captures the essence of a powerful predator, making it a fitting symbol for kings, nations, and the inescapable judgment 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 noun across 14 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • לָבִיא
  • לִבְאֹתָי
  • לְבָאִם
  • לְבִיָּא

Related Words

Related

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.

H738 אֲרִי or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin) H1482 גּוּר or (shortened) גֻּר; perhaps from גּוּר; a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion; whelp, young one. H2963 טָרַף a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] withou H2964 טֶרֶף from טָרַף; something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food; leaf, meat, prey, spoil.

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 14 verses across 10 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (2 verses each); never once in the other 29.

1
Genesis
2
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
2
Job
1
Psalms
2
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel
1
Hosea
1
Joel
2
Nahum

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.