גִּבֵּן (gib.ben)
gib.ben
humpbacked
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word gibben describes a person who is humpbacked or crook-backed. It appears only once in the Bible, in Leviticus 21:20, where it lists physical defects that disqualify a male descendant of Aaron from offering sacrifices at the altar.
Its presence in this specific legal text highlights how ancient Israelite ritual purity laws often focused on physical wholeness. The term itself is straightforward, referring to a visible curvature of the spine, and serves as one of several conditions that barred certain individuals from serving in the tabernacle priesthood during that period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gibben appears only once in Scripture, in Leviticus 21:20. It describes a physical condition where a person has a humpback or curved spine. In that ancient context, this trait disqualified male descendants of Aaron from serving as priests at the altar. This rule was part of the ritual laws governing temple service, focusing on symbolic wholeness rather than personal worth.
For modern readers, this verse reminds us that God’s covenant community has always included people with physical differences. The exclusion from priestly duties was specific to a ceremonial role, not a judgment on the individual’s value before God. We see throughout Scripture that God cares deeply for those who are marginalized or physically distinct.
This single occurrence invites reflection on how we view human dignity. It challenges us to look beyond physical appearance when considering service and holiness. The Bible consistently shows that true purity comes from the heart, not just the body. May this understanding deepen your appreciation for God’s inclusive love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a [man] hunchbacked1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גִבֵּ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 21:20
or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles.
This is the only biblical occurrence of gibben, where it specifies a physical condition that barred Aaronic priests from offering sacrifices.