from קָבַב; a hollow, i.e. vessel used as a (dry) measure; cab.
Transliteration:qab
Pronunciation:kab
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term קַב (qab), Strong's H6894, denotes a specific unit of dry measure, specifically a vessel used for measuring dry goods. Its etymology traces back to the root קָבַב (qabab), Strong's `{{H6895}}`, which carries the primary sense of "to curse" but can also imply "to hollow out" or "to cut." In the context of *qab*, the derivation points to the idea of a "hollow" vessel, thereby defining its function as a container with a measurable capacity. The *qab* was a relatively small unit, equivalent to approximately 1.2 to 2.2 liters, or about one-eighteenth of an ephah (`{{H646}}`). Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow, referring exclusively to this particular dry measure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term קַב (qab) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, a singular occurrence that nonetheless carries profound contextual weight. This solitary instance is found in [[2 Kings 6:25]]: "And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver."
This verse describes the dire conditions within Samaria during a siege by the Arameans, led by Ben-hadad. The famine was so severe that it drove the inhabitants to desperate and abhorrent measures. The mention of "the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung" is particularly striking. While "dove's dung" might refer literally to bird droppings used as fuel or fertilizer, its mention in the context of food suggests either an extreme, unthinkable act of consumption, or possibly a euphemism for a more palatable, yet still undesirable, plant food like carob pods. Regardless of the exact substance, the critical point is the exorbitant price (five pieces of silver) for such a minuscule quantity (one-fourth of a *qab*). This detail vividly illustrates the acute scarcity and the horrific suffering endured by the people, where even the most worthless or repulsive items became precious commodities due to the famine's intensity. The *qab* here serves not merely as a unit of measure but as a stark indicator of utter desperation and economic collapse.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for קַב (qab) is its root, קָבַב (qabab), Strong's `{{H6895}}`. While *qabab* often translates as "to curse" (e.g., [[Numbers 22:11]], [[Numbers 23:8]]), its secondary sense of "to hollow out" provides the etymological basis for *qab* as a hollow vessel. This dual meaning of the root highlights the semantic flexibility of Hebrew.
In terms of other biblical measures, the *qab* belongs to a system of dry capacities that included the omer (`{{H6016}}`), seah (`{{H5429}}`), ephah (`{{H646}}`), lethech (`{{H3917}}`), homer (`{{H2549}}`), and cor (`{{H3734}}`). The *qab* was one of the smallest units, underscoring the minute quantity mentioned in [[2 Kings 6:25]].
The concept of extreme famine and scarcity, which the *qab* so powerfully illustrates, is a recurring theme in biblical narratives, often serving as a consequence of divine judgment or a period of testing. Parallels can be drawn to the famines in the time of Abraham ([[Genesis 12:10]]), Joseph ([[Genesis 41:54-57]]), Ruth ([[Ruth 1:1]]), and during the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha ([[1 Kings 18:2]], [[2 Kings 8:1]]). The *qab* in [[2 Kings 6:25]] stands as one of the most poignant descriptions of such destitution.
### Theological Significance
While a technical term for a measure, the singular appearance of קַב (qab) in the biblical text is imbued with profound theological significance. It serves as a chilling testament to the severity of divine judgment and the consequences of human sin or disobedience. The famine in Samaria, a result of the Aramean siege, is often understood within a broader theological framework as a period of intense suffering allowed by God, perhaps as discipline or a test of faith.
The *qab* emphasizes the meticulous nature of this suffering. The fact that even a quarter of this small measure of a despised substance was sold for a high price underscores the absolute deprivation. It paints a vivid picture of a people pushed to the brink of survival, where the most basic necessities of life were almost entirely absent. This extreme scarcity stands in stark contrast to God's usual provision and abundance, as seen in the manna in the wilderness or the promise of fruitful harvests for obedience.
Thus, the *qab* becomes a symbol of ultimate scarcity, highlighting humanity's utter dependence on divine sustenance and the devastating effects when that sustenance is withdrawn or withheld. It calls believers to contemplate the fragility of life, the gravity of sin, and the immense value of God's sustaining grace, even in the smallest provisions.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קַב (qab), Strong's `{{H6894}}`, denotes a specific dry measure, a small hollow vessel with a capacity of roughly 1.2 to 2.2 liters. Its sole biblical appearance in [[2 Kings 6:25]] is highly impactful, serving to illustrate the horrific severity of the famine during the Aramean siege of Samaria. The exorbitant price paid for a mere "fourth part of a cab of dove's dung" powerfully conveys the extreme desperation and suffering endured by the besieged inhabitants. Though a simple unit of measure, the *qab* in this context transcends its literal meaning, becoming a potent symbol of ultimate scarcity, divine judgment, and humanity's profound dependence on God's provision.
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