Lexical Summary labab: To hearten, to make wise, to understand, to become intelligent Original Word: לָבַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make cakes, ravish, be wise A primitive root; properly, to be enclosed (as if with fat); by implication (as denominative from lebab) to unheart, i.e. (in a good sense) transport (with love), or (in a bad sense) stultify; also (as denominative from labiybah) to make cakes -- make cakes, ravish, be wise. see HEBREW lebab see HEBREW labiybah Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [לבב] verb denominative Niph`al Imperfect יִלָּבֵב get a mind; וְאִישׁ נָבוּב יִלָּבֵב וְעַיִר מֶּרֶא אָדָם יִוָּלֵד shall an empty man get a mind or a wild ass's colt be born a man (?) Job 11:12. Pi`el encourage; Perfect לִבַּבְתִּנִי בְּאַחַד֯ מֵעֵינַיִךְ . . . . לִבַּבִתִּנִי Songs 4:9 (twice in verse) thou hast encouraged me, thou hast encouraged me with one of thine eyes Ew Gi Gr RV m (AV RV Ges Hi De Öttli (compare Songs 5:6) ravished my heart, — Pi`el priv. Ges§ 52h). II. [לבב] verb denominative Pi`el make cakes. Imperfect תְּלַבֵּב 2 Samuel 13:6,8. לְבַד alone see בַּד below בדד above [לַבָּה], לַבַּת Exodus 3:2 see לֶהָבָה below להב. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Scope of Usage לָבַב appears only five times, yet its settings span narrative, wisdom, and lyrical poetry. Whether referring to the kneading of food, the piercing or stirring of the heart, or the awakening of moral sensibility, the verb consistently conveys an act that affects the inner life—either physically (2 Samuel) or emotionally and spiritually (Job and Song of Songs). Narrative Setting: 2 Samuel 13:6, 8 In the tragic account of Amnon and Tamar the verb describes Tamar “taking dough and kneading it” for the ailing prince. The “heart-cakes” she fashions (often translated “cakes”) were intended to comfort Amnon’s body and heart alike. Ironically, Amnon’s sinful heart subverts Tamar’s act of care. The passage warns that outward acts of hospitality are powerless when an unregenerate heart nurtures lust. The verb therefore serves as a literary hinge: what is shaped by loving hands becomes the stage for wickedness harbored in an unguarded heart (cf. Proverbs 4:23). Wisdom Context: Job 11:12 Zophar asserts, “But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man”. The participial form here pictures an “empty-hearted” person who must yet be “lavaved”—pierced, awakened, or tempered—to gain understanding. The verse underscores the biblical insistence that true wisdom is imparted by God: neither pedigree nor effort alone can “knead” a fool into a sage. This anticipates New-Covenant promises of a heart transformed by divine grace (Jeremiah 31:33). Poetic Metaphor: Song of Songs 4:9 Twice in one verse the bridegroom exclaims, “You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes”. The verb paints a vivid picture of a heart pierced or ravished by love. In the Song’s theology of covenant intimacy, the beloved’s glance wields greater power than any earthly weapon. Many interpreters hear in these lines a foreshadowing of Christ’s affection for His Church (Ephesians 5:25–27): one look of responsive faith “ravishes” the Savior’s heart. Theological Threads 1. Inner Transformation: Whether the fool of Job or the lover of the Song, לָבַב spotlights the heart’s centrality. God’s redemptive plan consistently moves from the inside out (Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26). Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care: Like Tamar’s cakes, physical acts of service should aim at the heart, yet shepherds must also confront internal sin lest outward kindness be exploited. Summary לָבַב, though rare, links kitchen, courtroom, classroom, and bridal chamber with a single truth: the heart—in all its physical, moral, and emotional dimensions—must be shaped by righteousness and divine love. Forms and Transliterations וַתְּלַבֵּ֣ב וּתְלַבֵּ֤ב ותלבב יִלָּבֵ֑ב ילבב לִבַּבְתִּ֖נִי לִבַּבְתִּ֙ינִי֙ לבבתיני לבבתני lib·baḇ·ti·nî lib·baḇ·tî·nî libbaḇtinî libbaḇtînî libbavTini ū·ṯə·lab·bêḇ ūṯəlabbêḇ utelabBev vattelabBev wat·tə·lab·bêḇ wattəlabbêḇ yil·lā·ḇêḇ yillāḇêḇ yillaVevLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 13:6 HEB: תָּמָ֣ר אֲחֹתִ֗י וּתְלַבֵּ֤ב לְעֵינַי֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י NAS: come and make me a couple KJV: come, and make me a couple INT: Tamar my sister and make my sight A couple 2 Samuel 13:8 Job 11:12 Songs 4:9 Songs 4:9 5 Occurrences |
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