לֵב
𐤋𐤁
lêb
H3821 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The inner organ or 'heart' as the center of physical, intellectual, emotional, volitional, or spiritual life. In Aramaic, לֵב denotes both the literal heart (the organ) and functions as a comprehensive term for the inner person or self, encompassing emotions (such as joy, grief, courage), thoughts, intentions, inclinations, and conscience. It may also denote the central or innermost part of something, not necessarily a person (e.g., the heart/core of a matter).
Semantic Range
heart (physical organ), emotions, will, intellect, conscience, the inner person, the center or core of something
Root / Etymology
Root לב (l-b), meaning 'heart' in both Hebrew and Aramaic. In Aramaic, לֵב is the direct equivalent of the Hebrew לֵבָב, both ultimately from the same Semitic root conveying the notion of the 'heart' as the physical and metaphorical center. The word's use in Aramaic reflects both the physical organ and the metaphorical concept of 'inner self.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably parts of Daniel and Ezra), לֵב is the standard word for 'heart,' replacing Hebrew לֵב and לֵבָב. It covers the full range of meanings as in biblical Hebrew—including physical, intellectual, and emotional senses. The word appears in widely figurative expressions, such as 'setting one's heart to' (determining) or 'changing heart' (changing mind or resolve). English translations frequently render לֵב as 'heart,' but this sometimes narrows the term's full semantic range; it involves not only feelings, but also thoughts, intentions, decisions, and the moral conscience. Modern association of 'heart' with only emotion does not accurately reflect its ancient usage, where it regularly denotes the mind and volition. In biblical Aramaic, לֵב is largely synonymous with לֵבָב in Hebrew usage, though the Aramaic form is distinct. The term is not anachronistically connected with 'spirit' (רוּחַ) or 'soul' (נֶפֶשׁ), but may overlap in idiomatic usage when referring to the seat of life or personality.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to לֵב; {the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything}; heart.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לבב (l-b-b) — inner part, center, core
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3820 | לֵב | in the inner core of |
| H3823 | לָבַב | you have heart-stirred me |
| H3824 | לֵבָב | in the inner core |
| H3825 | לְבַב | your inner-self |
| H3826 | לִבָּה | in their hearts |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3821-01 |
בְּ/לִבִּ֥/י | belibi | AR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
in my heart | in my inner core | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3821-01 |
Daniel 7:28 | בְּ/לִבִּ֥/י | belibi | AR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
in my heart | in my inner core |