לָבַב (la.vav)
la.vav
to encourage; to bake
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb labav is rare, appearing only four times in the Old Testament. Its primary sense involves strengthening or encouraging the heart. In the Niphal stem, it describes a person taking courage or becoming mentally alert, as when characters in Job or II Samuel find renewed resolve. This usage emphasizes an internal shift from fear or confusion to clarity and strength.
A second, distinct meaning appears in the Piel stem: to bake cakes. This concrete action is found in Song of Solomon, where it likely refers to preparing food for a beloved. The connection between baking and encouragement may lie in the warmth and sustenance that bread provides, symbolizing care and vitality. While the two meanings seem unrelated etymologically, both convey a sense of bringing life or energy into a situation.
Translators often render labav as "encourage" or "take heart," capturing its emotional weight. The word’s rarity makes each occurrence significant, highlighting moments where human resilience or intimate care is central. Its dual usage reminds readers that physical acts like baking can also serve as profound expressions of emotional support.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word labav carries a gentle warmth, appearing in Scripture to describe either the stirring of courage within a weary heart or the simple, tangible act of baking bread. When used in the sense of encouragement, it speaks to that quiet moment when fear gives way to resolve. It is an internal shift, a strengthening of spirit that allows us to face what lies ahead with renewed clarity and peace.
In other passages, the same root describes the preparation of cakes, a concrete act of care and sustenance. This connection reminds us that spiritual encouragement often comes through physical acts of love. Whether it is a word spoken in season or food prepared for a loved one, these moments bring life and energy into our daily routines.
Understanding this word helps us see how God meets us in both our emotional struggles and our practical needs. We can find comfort in knowing that strength is not only found in grand declarations but also in the small, faithful acts of kindness that sustain us through difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have stolen heart/ my2×
- he will become intelligent1×
- and/ she made cakes1×
- and/ let her make cakes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִבַּבְתִּ֙י/נִי֙1×
- לִבַּבְתִּ֖/נִי1×
- יִלָּבֵ֑ב1×
- וּ/תְלַבֵּ֤ב1×
- וַ/תְּלַבֵּ֣ב1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 13:6
So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
This verse uses the Piel stem for baking cakes, highlighting a manipulative act where physical preparation is used to deceive rather than nurture.
-
II Samuel 13:8
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
Here the verb describes Tamar kneading and baking dough, showing the concrete effort involved in preparing food for her brother.
-
Job 11:12
An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
In the Niphal stem, this verse uses the word metaphorically to describe a wild donkey's colt, illustrating how humans must gain understanding and courage unlike instinctive animals.