לְבַב (le.vav)
le.vav
heart
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The word le.vav functions as the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew lev, referring to the heart or mind as the center of human thought and intention. In the biblical text, it denotes the inner person where decisions are formed and understanding resides, rather than merely the seat of emotion.
Its usage is notably concentrated in the book of Daniel, appearing in five verses within the Aramaic sections of the prophecy. This specific distribution highlights its role in describing the mental state or resolve of both the prophet and the foreign kings who encounter God’s sovereignty.
As a cognate of the more common Hebrew term, it carries the same semantic weight: the locus of intellect and will. Translators typically render it as "heart" to preserve this ancient conceptual link between the physical organ and the cognitive self, maintaining consistency across the bilingual nature of Daniel’s narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the Aramaic sections of Daniel, this word for heart points to the core of who we are—our thoughts, wills, and intentions. It is not just about feelings, but about where our decisions come from. When King Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was lifted up, he lost his wisdom. But when his heart was changed to that of a man, he learned humility. This shows us that our inner state determines how we respond to God.
We see this clearly in Daniel 2:30, where the prophet explains that true understanding comes from God, not human cleverness. The 'thoughts of your heart' are known to Him. This is comforting because it means God sees the hidden motives and struggles no one else notices. He invites us to bring our whole selves to Him.
Belshazzar’s story warns us against hardening our hearts even when we know the truth. Instead, we can trust that God rules over all kingdoms. When we feel confused or proud, we can ask for a heart that is open and humble. This inner change allows us to recognize God’s sovereignty in our daily lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- heart/ your2×
- heart/ his1×
- and/ heart/ his1×
- and/ a heart of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִבְבָ֖/ךְ1×
- לִבְבָ֑/ךְ1×
- לִבְבֵ֔/הּ1×
- וּ/לְבַ֥ב1×
- וְ/לִבְבֵ֣/הּ\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:30
But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
This verse highlights that true insight into life's mysteries comes from God, who knows the deepest thoughts and intentions of the human heart.
-
Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
Here the word describes a divine judgment where a king’s mental state is reduced to animalistic confusion until he acknowledges God’s rule.
-
Daniel 7:4
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it.
The lion-like beast receives a 'man’s heart,' symbolizing a shift from wild instinct to human reason and stability under God's control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Hebrew word for heart mean in Daniel?
Why is this word used in Daniel instead of the more common Hebrew term?
How does this concept help us understand pride and humility?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent…
Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly…
Daniel 5:21He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild…
Daniel 5:22“You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
Daniel 7:4“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from…