כָּבוֹד (ka.vod)
ka.vod
glorious; riches
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kabod primarily denotes weight or heaviness, which in biblical thought translates to significance, honor, or glory. While it frequently describes the visible majesty of God, its meaning extends into the human sphere to indicate social standing and dignity.
Although rare in general usage, this specific form appears with a distinct nuance in Judges 18:21. Here, the text refers to the "abundance" or "riches" carried by the tribe of Dan as they migrate north. This usage highlights how physical wealth was viewed not merely as material possession, but as a tangible sign of divine favor and communal strength.
This concrete application shows that kabod is not limited to abstract spiritual concepts. It bridges the gap between inner worth and outward reality, where honor is demonstrated through substantial resources and visible prosperity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kabod carries a sense of weight, suggesting that true value is substantial and heavy with meaning. In Judges 18:21, this concept appears in a unique context where the tribe of Dan moves with their little ones, livestock, and goods. The text highlights their abundance, showing how material resources can reflect communal strength and divine favor.
For your daily life, this reminds us that God cares about the tangible aspects of our existence. Your work, your possessions, and your family are not separate from your faith but part of the whole picture of honor. When you manage your resources with integrity, you participate in a deeper reality where earthly abundance points to spiritual significance.
May you find peace in knowing that your everyday efforts matter. Whether you hold much or little, your life has weight and worth in God's sight. Let this truth encourage you to live faithfully in all areas of your day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ valuable[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/כְּבוּדָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 18:21
So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, the livestock, and the goods before them.
This verse uniquely applies kabod to the physical goods and livestock carried by the tribe of Dan, linking material abundance to communal strength.