לְהָבִים
𐤋𐤄𐤁𐤉𐤌
Lehavim
H3853 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun designating a group or people known as the Lehabim, identified in the Table of Nations as descendants of Mizraim (Egypt). The name is the plural form of a word meaning ‘flame’, and thus may denote ‘flames’ or metaphorically ‘fiery ones’. Used as an ethnonym rather than with its common noun sense.
Semantic Range
plural of 'flame'; proper noun for an ethnonym (descendants of Mizraim); Lehabim people group; metaphorical 'fiery ones' (rarely, by etymology only)
Root / Etymology
From the root ל-ה-ב (להב), meaning 'flame' or 'blade (of a sword)'. לְהָבִים is the masculine plural form of לַהַב, literally 'flames'. As a proper noun, it denotes the Lehabim, a group counted among the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt) in genealogical lists. Actual lexical meaning as a proper noun is derived, not directly descriptive.
Historical & Contextual Notes
לְהָבִים occurs in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:13) and in parallel passages (1 Chronicles 1:11) as part of the genealogical listings of peoples descended from Mizraim, traditionally linked with the region of Egypt. The exact identity and location of the Lehabim are uncertain; ancient translations vary in their rendering (e.g., LXX has Λεβαίειμ), and post-biblical sources sometimes identify them with North African peoples, but this is speculative. The term is not used outside of genealogical contexts in the Hebrew Bible. In later English translations, 'Lehabim' is sometimes rendered 'Libyans', but no direct linguistic or historical evidence supports this identification. The root ל-ה-ב ('flame') carries vivid imagery, but there is no suggestion that the historical identity of the group is based on this imagery. The word is always used as a proper noun for a people group, never in its common noun sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of לַהַב; flames; Lehabim, a son of Mizraim, and his descendants; Lehabim.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
להב (l-h-b) — to flame, to blaze, to shine
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3827 | לַבָּה | in blazing flame of |
| H3851 | לַהַב | in blazing flame of |
| H3852 | לֶהָבָה | flames of |
| H7957 | שַׁלְהֶבֶת | blazing flame |
| H8514 | תַּלְאוּבָה | scorching droughts |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3853-01 |
לְהָבִ֖ים | lehavim | HNgmpa |
Lehabim | Flame-ones | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3853-01 |
Genesis 10:13 | לְהָבִ֖ים | lehavim | HNgmpa |
Lehabim | Flame-ones |
H3853-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:11 | לְהָבִ֖ים | lehavim | HNp |
the Lehabites | Flame-ones |