or rather לְבִבָה; from לָבַב in its original sense of fatness (or perhaps of folding); a cake (either as fried or turned); cake.
Transliteration:lâbîybâh
Pronunciation:law-bee-baw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H3834, transliterated as *lâbîybâh* (or more commonly in its textual form, *lĕḇiḇâ*), refers to a specific type of "cake." Its etymology is rooted in the verb לָבַב (lāḇaḇ), specifically linked to `{{H3823}}` in its sense of "fatness" or "stoutness," and `{{H3824}}` which means "to make cakes." This suggests that the *lâbîybâh* was likely a rich cake, possibly prepared with fat, or perhaps "fattened" in the sense of being substantial or satisfying. The alternative etymological suggestion of "folding" could refer to the method of preparation, such as folding dough or turning the cake during frying. Thus, the semantic range points to a prepared food item, characterized by its richness or a particular cooking technique (e.g., fried or turned), distinguishing it from more common bread types.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *lĕḇiḇâ* (plural *lĕḇiḇōt*) appears exclusively in the biblical narrative of 2 Samuel 13, occurring twice:
* **[[2 Samuel 13:6]]**: Amnon, feigning illness at the instruction of his devious cousin Jonadab, requests of King David, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes (לְבִבֹת) in my sight, that I may eat from her hand." This request is central to Amnon's scheme to be alone with Tamar. The specific mention of "cakes" (לְבִבֹת) and the desire for Tamar to make them "in my sight" adds a layer of manipulative intimacy to the request, exploiting the familial bond and the cultural practice of women preparing food for their male relatives.
* **[[2 Samuel 13:8]]**: "So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. And she took dough, kneaded it, made cakes (לְבִבֹת) in his sight, and baked the cakes (לְבִבֹת)." This verse details Tamar's faithful execution of the request. The repetition of "in his sight" emphasizes the public yet private nature of the act, setting the stage for Amnon's subsequent betrayal. The cakes, intended as sustenance and an act of care, become a prop in Amnon's wicked design, serving as the pretext for him to dismiss his servants and be alone with Tamar, leading to her assault. The mundane act of preparing food is tragically twisted into an instrument of sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root related to H3834 is לָבַב (`{{H3823}}`, `{{H3824}}`). While this root also gives rise to words related to the "heart" (לֵב / לֵבָב, `{{H3820}}`), the definition of H3834 points specifically to the sense of "fatness" or "making cakes," suggesting a distinct culinary connection rather than an emotional one.
Other Hebrew words for various types of bread or cakes include:
* לֶחֶם (`{{H3899}}`): A general term for bread or food.
* חַלָּה (`{{H2471}}`): A pierced or perforated cake, often associated with offerings.
* צַפִּיחִית (`{{H6740}}`): A flat cake or wafer, notably used to describe manna.
* נְקֻדִּים (`{{H5140}}`): Dry cakes or biscuits, possibly crumbled.
The *lĕḇiḇâ* appears to be a particular kind of cake, perhaps richer or more elaborately prepared than common bread, making it suitable for a special request or a delicacy. Its specific preparation "in his sight" highlights a personal, intimate service, which is then tragically perverted by Amnon. The concept of hospitality and domestic care, typically positive and nurturing, is here corrupted and exploited for sinister ends.
### Theological Significance
The word H3834 itself, referring to a simple cake, holds no inherent theological meaning. However, its singular and pivotal role in the narrative of 2 Samuel 13 imbues it with profound theological significance. The *lĕḇiḇōt* become a tangible symbol of:
1. **The Corruption of Good Things**: Food, a basic necessity and a gift from God, intended for nourishment and fellowship, is perverted into a tool for deception and sin. The act of preparing food, typically an expression of love and care within a family, is exploited to facilitate a heinous crime.
2. **The Insidiousness of Sin**: Amnon's scheme is meticulously planned, using an innocuous request for cakes as a cover for his predatory intentions. This illustrates how sin often operates under the guise of normalcy or even piety, subtly undermining trust and relationships.
3. **Vulnerability and Betrayal**: Tamar, acting out of familial duty and love, prepares these cakes for her brother, unknowingly walking into a trap. The cakes underscore her innocence and vulnerability, making Amnon's betrayal all the more egregious.
4. **Consequences of Unchecked Lust**: The narrative, with the cakes at its center, serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of unchecked lust and deceit within the royal family, leading to further violence, division, and ultimately, Absalom's rebellion and David's sorrow.
In essence, the *lĕḇiḇōt* stand as a silent witness to the profound moral decay within David's household, where even the most ordinary and wholesome objects can be twisted to serve the darkest human desires.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3834, *lâbîybâh* (or *lĕḇiḇâ*), denotes a specific type of rich or fried cake, deriving its name from a root associated with "fatness" or "making cakes." Its rare biblical appearance is exclusively in [[2 Samuel 13:6]] and [[2 Samuel 13:8]], where it plays a critical, albeit passive, role in the tragic narrative of Amnon's assault on Tamar. The cakes serve as the calculated pretext for Amnon to isolate Tamar, transforming an act of domestic care and hospitality into an instrument of deceit and sin. The theological significance of *lâbîybâh* is therefore entirely contextual, highlighting the insidious nature of sin, the corruption of good things, and the devastating consequences of unchecked desires within the sacred bonds of family and community.
TRV