קֵבָה
𐤒𐤁𐤄
qêbâh
H6896 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A hollow organ; specifically, in biblical contexts, the 'paunch' or 'first stomach' of a ruminant animal, often referenced in ritual or sacrificial settings as the internal cavity or part of the digestive tract.
Semantic Range
internal cavity, hollow organ, paunch of ruminants, first stomach, maw (as an anatomical term)
Root / Etymology
From the root קָבַב (qavav) meaning 'to hollow out, bore, pierce.' קֵבָה is the feminine noun form, referring to a 'hollow' or 'cavity,' and by extension, specifically the first stomach/paunch of ruminants.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, קֵבָה occurs in sacrificial regulations (e.g., Leviticus 3:3-4, 10, 15; 4:9) where it designates the internal organ (first stomach or paunch) of animals presented for sacrifice. It is distinct from other terms for abdomen or inner parts, such as בֶּטֶן (beten, 'belly, womb'). English translations often use 'maw' or 'paunch,' though these terms can obscure the technical anatomical reference. In priestly literature, enumeration of animal organs underscores ritual precision, and the קֵבָה is notable as the seat of digestion, symbolically and materially, in offering procedures. Its cultural context closely follows ancient Near Eastern sacrificial practice in which the 'fatty parts' and specific organs were offered on the altar. The anatomical precision reflects witness to temple sacrificial rites; in later post-exilic or Second Temple literature, cognates may appear in related ritual and dietary discussions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָבַב; the paunch (as a cavity) or first stomach of ruminants; maw.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קבב (q-b-b) — to hollow out, pierce, form a cavity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6894 | קַב | the hollow measure-vessel |
| H6895 | קָבַב | to utter a curse |
| H6897 | קֹבָה | her belly-cavity |
| H6898 | קֻבָּה | the domed tent |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6896-01 |
וְ/הַ/קֵּבָֽה | vehaqevah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the maw | and the paunch | and the maw | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6896-01 |
Deuteronomy 18:3 | וְ/הַ/קֵּבָֽה | vehaqevah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the maw | and the paunch | and the maw |