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כֹּזְבִי

𐤊𐤆𐤁𐤉

Kozevi

H3579 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כזב to lie, deceive, be false

Definition

Cozbi (כֹּזְבִי) is a proper name referring to a Midianite woman, specifically identified in Numbers 25 as the daughter of Zur, a prominent Midianite leader. The name is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'lie' or 'deceive,' and so may convey the notion of 'deceptive,' 'false,' or 'untruthful.' Its semantic range, in context, is primarily as a personal name but may imply associated qualities of falsehood or deception if interpreted etymologically.

Semantic Range

a Midianite woman's personal name; possibly 'the deceptive one,' but primarily a proper noun without generic meaning in usage

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew root כזב, which means 'to lie' or 'to be false.' The form כֹּזְבִי (Kozbi) is a theophoric or attributive feminine name, possibly meaning 'deceptive one' or 'she who deceives.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Cozbi is mentioned exclusively in the account of Numbers 25, regarding an episode during the Israelites' wilderness period, where she is the Midianite woman slain by Phinehas. The name's etymology is transparent and connects her, thematically and narratively, with the charge of 'causing Israel to act treacherously' (Num 31:16). Nevertheless, the text does not assert that her name represents a character assessment, and in ancient Near Eastern naming practices, names often reflected hoped-for qualities, traditional phrases, or family history, not necessarily the individual's disposition. The use of this name is unique in the Hebrew Bible and does not appear outside this narrative. Traditional translations sometimes render this name with negative connotations due to its etymology, and a few translation traditions have rendered it as 'the deceiver' or similar, but most modern translations transliterate the name directly as 'Cozbi.' This name occurs only in this narrative context, and later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition sometimes expand on her role or portray her symbolically, though such interpretations go beyond the biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּזַב; false; Cozbi, a Midianitess; Cozbi.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כזב (k-z-b) — to lie, deceive, be false

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3538 כְּדַב deceitful
H3576 כָּזַב I falsely-declare
H3577 כָּזָב falsehood
H3578 כֹּזְבָא Kozeba
H3580 כְּזִיב Deception-Place

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3579-01 כָּזְבִּ֣י kazebi HNp Cozbi She-who-deceives 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3579-01 Numbers 25:15 כָּזְבִּ֣י kazebi HNp was Cozbi She-who-deceives
H3579-01 Numbers 25:18 כָּזְבִּ֨י kazebi HNp Cozbi She-who-deceives
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