כַּרְבְּלָא (kar.be.la)
kar.be.la
helmet
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun karbelâ refers to headgear, specifically a helmet or cap. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 3:21, describing the attire of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were thrown into the fiery furnace.
Lexical sources list several possible translations for this term, including mantle, robe, cap, turban, or helmet. The context of the narrative suggests protective armor, as the three men remained unharmed despite being bound in their clothes. This single occurrence highlights how divine preservation can extend to even the most fragile human defenses.
Because the word is so rare, its precise nuance remains somewhat open to interpretation. Whether understood as a military helmet or a ceremonial cap, it serves as a reminder of the physical vulnerability of those who stand firm in their faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word karbelâ appears only once in Scripture, nestled in the dramatic account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing the fiery furnace. While translations vary between helmet, cap, or mantle, the context highlights their physical vulnerability. They were bound tightly in their clothing before being thrown into the flames, yet they emerged unharmed.
This rare term reminds us that human defenses are fragile. Whether it was protective armor or ceremonial headgear, it offered no real shield against the fire. Their safety did not come from what they wore, but from the One who walked with them in the blaze. It is a powerful image of divine preservation when earthly protections fail.
When we face trials that seem overwhelming, this verse offers comfort. We do not need to rely on our own strength or external shields. God’s presence is the true protection for those who stand firm in their faith, regardless of the heat they must endure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ caps/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/כַרְבְּלָתְ/ה֖וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:21
Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.
This verse lists the specific garments binding the three men, including the term karbelâ, emphasizing their physical restraint and vulnerability before God's intervention.