Lexical Summary kabed: Heavy, weighty, burdensome, honored Original Word: כָּבֵד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance liver The same as kabed; the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera) -- liver. see HEBREW kabed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kabad Definition liver NASB Translation heart (1), liver (13). Brown-Driver-Briggs כָּבֵד noun masculineLamentations 2:11 liver (explained by Thes (quoting Galen) as the heavy organ, par excellence, of the body; Late Hebrew כָּבֵד; Aramaic כַּבְדָא  ; Arabic  , compare  (anything) large, thick in the middle; Ethiopic  Assyrian kabittu DlHWB temper, heart (figurative), Aramaic כְּבַד,  be angry, because the liver was regarded as seat of emotions) — ׳כ Exodus 29:13 11t.; כְּבֵדוֺ Proverbs 7:23; כְּבֵדִי Lamentations 2:11; — liver of man, as pierced by arrow Proverbs 7:23; poured out in sorrow Lamentations 2:11; of animals as consulted by divination ׳רָאָה בַּכּ Ezekiel 21:26; elsewhere in P, in phrases (ה)יֹתֶרֶת (עַלֿ) הַכָּבֵד Exodus 29:13,22; Leviticus 3:4,10,15; Leviticus 4:9; Leviticus 7:4; Leviticus 8:16,25; Leviticus 9:19; ׳הַיֹּתֶרֶת מִןהַֿכּ Leviticus 9:10, of the animals suited for sacrifice. Topical Lexicon Definition and Physical Significance כָּבֵד (kaved) denotes the liver, one of the largest and heaviest organs in the body. In ancient Near Eastern thought it was associated with vigor, vitality, and deep-seated emotion. Because life was understood to be in the blood and vital organs, the liver naturally came to symbolize the very center of one’s physical and emotional existence. Cultic Role in the Sinai Covenant Eleven of the fourteen occurrences belong to the priestly legislation of Exodus and Leviticus. In every case the “lobe of the liver” (Exodus 29:13) or “entire liver” (Leviticus 4:9) is singled out, together with the fat surrounding it, for burning upon the altar. Unlike the edible portions of a peace offering, this inner fat belonged exclusively to the LORD (Leviticus 3:16). The Israelite could partake of the meat, but the life-bearing organ was returned to God in fire, a vivid reminder that all life comes from Him and must be consecrated back to Him. The centrality of the liver in these rites underscores the demand that worship penetrate beyond outer forms to the inmost being. Symbolism of Life and Inner Affections Outside the sacrificial context, kaved serves as a poetic image for the deepest emotions. Jeremiah mourns, “My eyes fail from weeping … my liver is poured out on the ground” (Lamentations 2:11). The prophet’s grief is portrayed as life draining away from his core. Similarly, the seduced youth in Proverbs “until an arrow pierces his liver … did not know it would cost him his life” (Proverbs 7:23). Damage to the liver equals certain death; moral folly wounds the very seat of life. Warnings Against Spiritual Folly Proverbs 7:23 connects the liver to sudden judgment, emphasizing that sin’s consequences reach the innermost person. The arrow’s strike is instantaneous and irrevocable. In ministry, this text warns against minimizing hidden sin; what seems private will in time reach the core and prove fatal unless repented. Contrast with Pagan Divination Ezekiel 21:21 records the king of Babylon “looking at the liver” as part of his divination. Hepatoscopy was widespread in Mesopotamia, but the practice is never sanctioned for Israel. The same organ that Israel rendered to God in worship was mutilated by pagans for guidance. Scripture thereby exposes a crucial line: true revelation comes from God’s word, not from manipulating creation. The Israelites’ exclusive burning of the liver to Yahweh functioned as a polemic against such occult reliance. Christological and Ministry Reflections The sacrificial prominence of the liver points ahead to the inner perfections of the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus Christ offered not only His body but His innermost affections wholly to the Father (Hebrews 10:5–10). Just as the priest placed the liver on the altar, so the Son yielded His entire life essence, purchasing our redemption. For ministers, the symbol challenges us to bring every motive and hidden thought into obedience to Christ, presenting our “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Practical Application for Contemporary Believers 1. Whole-hearted Worship: The liver’s altar-fire calls believers to consecrate both outward service and inward desires. Forms and Transliterations בַּכָּבֵֽד׃ בכבד׃ הַכָּבֵ֔ד הַכָּבֵֽד׃ הַכָּבֵד֙ הכבד הכבד׃ כְּֽבֵד֗וֹ כְּבֵדִ֔י כבדו כבדי bak·kā·ḇêḏ bakkāḇêḏ bakkaVed hak·kā·ḇêḏ hakkāḇêḏ hakkaVed kə·ḇê·ḏî kə·ḇê·ḏōw kəḇêḏî kəḇêḏōw keveDi keveDoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:13 HEB: הַיֹּתֶ֙רֶת֙ עַל־ הַכָּבֵ֔ד וְאֵת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י NAS: and the lobe of the liver, and the two KJV: and the caul [that is] above the liver, and the two INT: and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys Exodus 29:22 Leviticus 3:4 Leviticus 3:10 Leviticus 3:15 Leviticus 4:9 Leviticus 7:4 Leviticus 8:16 Leviticus 8:25 Leviticus 9:10 Leviticus 9:19 Proverbs 7:23 Lamentations 2:11 Ezekiel 21:21 14 Occurrences |
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