כִּבְשָׂה (kiv.sah)
kiv.sah
ewe-lamb
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for ewe-lamb appears in moments of deep human connection and solemn ritual. In Genesis, Abraham uses these young sheep to mark a peaceful boundary with Abimelech, turning a simple animal into a lasting witness of goodwill. This shows how everyday things can become symbols of trust between people.
In the prophets, the term carries heavy emotional weight. Nathan’s story about the poor man’s single lamb highlights the cruelty of taking what is most precious to someone else. The lamb was not just livestock; it was family, a daughter raised with love. This usage reminds us that God sees the intimate value we place on our own small blessings.
When used in Levitical law, the ewe-lamb represents purity and atonement. It was a gentle creature offered to restore relationship with God. For your faith, this word bridges the gap between simple rural life and holy reverence, showing that God cares about both your daily resources and your spiritual needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ewe-lambs2×
- and/ a ewe-lamb2×
- the/ ewe-lamb1×
- ewe-lambs of1×
- a ewe-lamb1×
- [the] ewe-lamb of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּבְשֹׂ֥ת1×
- כִּבְשָׂ֨ה1×
- כִּבְשַׂת֙1×
- כְּבָשֹׂת֙1×
- כְּבָשֹׂ֔ת1×
- וְ/כַבְשָׂ֨ה1×
- וְ/כַבְשָׂ֥ה1×
- הַ/כִּבְשָׂ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 21:30
He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.”
Here the ewe-lamb serves as a tangible witness to a covenant agreement, marking a well dug by Abraham.
-
II Samuel 12:3
but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him.
Nathan uses this specific term to emphasize how deeply the poor man loved his only lamb, making the rich man’s theft feel like a personal betrayal.
-
Leviticus 14:10
“On the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without defect, one ewe lamb a year old without defect, three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and one log of oil.
The ewe-lamb is listed among the required offerings for cleansing, showing its role in restoring ritual purity and community standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word kiv.sah mean?
Why is this word important in II Samuel 12?
How is this word used in religious rituals?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Genesis 21:29Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”
Genesis 21:30He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.”