כִּשְׂבָּה (kis.bah)
kis.bah
lamb
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun kisbah refers specifically to a young female sheep, or ewe-lamb. In the Hebrew Bible, this term distinguishes the younger, female animal from broader words for sheep or male lambs, highlighting its role as a specific type of livestock.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in Leviticus 5:6. There, it describes the offering required by a person who has become ritually unclean and seeks purification. The law mandates that the individual bring a female lamb from the flock as a sin offering to restore their standing before God.
The restricted usage underscores the precision of sacrificial categories in Levitical law. By specifying a kisbah, the text ensures the correct animal is presented, reflecting the detailed requirements for atonement rituals in ancient Israelite worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kisbah refers to a young female sheep, an ewe-lamb. It appears only once in the Bible, in Leviticus 5:6. This verse describes a specific requirement for someone who has become ritually unclean and needs to return to God. The law required this person to bring a female lamb or goat as a sin offering. The priest would then make atonement for them.
This detail shows how seriously God took the matter of sin and separation. He provided a clear way back through sacrifice. While we do not offer animal sacrifices today, the principle remains. We need a substitute to cover our failures. This ancient text points us toward the ultimate sacrifice that makes reconciliation possible for all who seek it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a ewe lamb1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּשְׂבָּ֛ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 5:6
and he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh for his sin which he has sinned: a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.
This is the only occurrence of the word, specifying a female lamb as part of the sin offering to restore ritual purity.