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H3823 · Hebrew · Old Testament
לָבַב
Labab
Verb
To Win the Heart / To Make Cakes / To Be Hearted

Definition

The Hebrew verb labab carries two distinct senses: (1) to make heart-shaped bread cakes (2 Samuel 13:6,8), and (2) to win someone's heart, to captivate, to be heartened (Song of Solomon 4:9). Both senses connect to leb (H3820, heart), pointing to that which is central and most deeply personal.

Usage & Theological Significance

The use of labab in Song of Solomon 4:9 — 'You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride' — provides one of the most tender expressions of love in Scripture. This passage is read theologically as the Beloved's (God's or Christ's) delight in His bride. The heart (leb) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotion but of will, intellect, and devotion. To be lababed — heart-captured — is to have one's entire inner life turned toward another. Deuteronomy's command to love God with 'all your heart' (leb) calls for this total, enraptured orientation.

Key Bible Verses

Song of Solomon 4:9 You have captivated my heart (lababtini), my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes.
2 Samuel 13:6 Amnon said to the king, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of heart-shaped cakes (lebebot) in my sight.'
2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and made the cakes (lebebot) in his sight.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart (leb) and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Psalm 22:26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him — may your hearts live forever!

Related Words

External Resources

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