כָּאַב
properly, to feel pain; by implication, to grieve; figuratively, to spoil
Definition
The Hebrew verb כָּאַב (kâʼab) fundamentally means 'to feel pain' or 'to be in pain,' describing physical suffering. By implication, it extends to emotional and psychological distress, meaning 'to grieve' or 'to cause sorrow,' as seen in Proverbs 14:13 where even laughter can mask a grieving heart. In a more active, causative sense, it can mean 'to inflict pain' or 'to mar/spoil,' such as in the violent context of Genesis 34:25 where Simeon and Levi kill the men of Shechem who were in pain from circumcision, and in 2 Kings 3:19 where armies are commanded to ruin good trees.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only eight times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, poetic, and prophetic books. It describes physical pain (Genesis 34:25, Job 5:18, Job 14:22), deep emotional grief (Proverbs 14:13, Psalm 69:29), and the act of causing ruin or marring (2 Kings 3:19, Ezekiel 13:22, Ezekiel 28:24). Its usage in Ezekiel is particularly striking, where false prophets are accused of 'paining' or grieving the hearts of the righteous (Ezekiel 13:22).
Etymology
כָּאַב is a primitive root verb. It is related to the noun כְּאֵב (ke'ev, H3511), meaning 'pain' or 'sorrow.' The root conveys a basic sense of experiencing or causing a painful, aching sensation, whether physical or emotional.
Semantic Range
This word connects human suffering—both physical and emotional—to the reality of a fallen world, as in Job's lament about bodily pain (Job 14:22). It also highlights the profound impact of sin, showing how human actions can 'pain' or grieve others, as with the false prophets in Ezekiel 13:22. In Psalm 69:29, the psalmist's pain is presented before God, showing that human grief is a proper subject for prayer and divine attention. Understanding this word enriches reading by showing the Bible's holistic view of pain, which is not merely physical but deeply connected to the heart and spirit.
In the ancient Near East, pain and grief were understood as powerful, disruptive forces affecting the whole person. The use of this word for both physical wounding (Genesis 34:25) and emotional distress (Proverbs 14:13) reflects a less compartmentalized view of human experience than is common today. The act of 'marring' trees in warfare (2 Kings 3:19) was a recognized tactic of economic and ecological devastation.
חָלָה (chalah, H2470) — often 'to be weak, sick, or diseased,' focusing on a state of infirmity rather than the sensation of pain itself. יָגָה (yagah, H3013) — 'to grieve, afflict,' with a stronger emphasis on the cause or experience of mental anguish. עָצַב (atsav, H6087) — 'to hurt, pain, grieve,' often used for emotional pain or the pain of idol-making labor.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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