The meaning of “לֵבָב”
Understanding lêbâb reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares...
לֵבָב
[phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. - the heart (as the most interior organ) 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 20:6 | “And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.” Word: לֵבָב (lêbâb) | |
| Judges 19:9 | “And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.” Word: לֵבָב (lêbâb) | |
| 2 Chronicles 20:33 | “Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.” Word: לֵבָב (lêbâb) | |
| Ecclesiastes 9:3 | “This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Word: לֵבָב (lêbâb) | |
| Hosea 7:2 | “And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.” Word: לֵבָב (lêbâb) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Heart
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Heart, mind, will
The Hebrew lev (לֵב) denotes the heart—the center of thought, emotion, and will. God commanded Israel to 'love the LORD thy God with all thine heart' (Deuteronomy 6:5), and He promised a 'new heart' (Ezekiel 36:26).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Heart, mind, inner self
The Greek kardia (καρδία) means heart—the inner person, seat of thoughts and affections. 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh' (Matthew 12:34), and believers must guard their hearts (Proverbs 4:23).