כִּבְשָׂה

a ewe

Definition

כִּבְשָׂה (kibsâh) is a feminine noun meaning a ewe, specifically a female sheep. It refers to a mature female lamb, often contrasted with the masculine כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, H3532) for a male lamb. In its biblical usage, it consistently denotes a female sheep, whether in narrative contexts like Abraham's covenant with Abimelech (Genesis 21:28-30) or in ritual law for offerings, such as the purification sacrifice for a leper (Leviticus 14:10) or the Nazirite's offering (Numbers 6:14). The most extended narrative use is in Nathan's parable to David, where the ewe lamb is a cherished pet and member of a poor man's household (2 Samuel 12:3-6).

Biblical Usage

This word appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in legal and narrative contexts. It is used in Genesis 21:28-30 to describe the ewes Abraham set apart as a witness of his covenant with Abimelech. In Levitical law, it specifies the type of animal required for certain purification offerings (Leviticus 14:10, Numbers 6:14). Its most famous usage is in the prophetic narrative of 2 Samuel 12:3-6, where Nathan uses the image of a poor man's single, beloved ewe lamb to convict King David of his sin with Bathsheba. This parable gives the word a strong connotation of personal affection and vulnerability.

Etymology

The word כִּבְשָׂה is the feminine form of the masculine noun כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, H3532), meaning 'a lamb.' The root likely relates to the concept of being 'thick' or 'plump,' describing a young, fattened sheep. The feminine form is also occasionally spelled כַּבְשָׂה (kavsâh) in the biblical text. As a gendered noun, it precisely identifies the animal's sex, which was often significant for ritual and economic purposes in ancient Israel.

Semantic Range

While primarily a zoological term, כִּבְשָׂה gains theological weight through its use in Nathan's parable (2 Samuel 12:1-6). Here, the ewe lamb symbolizes innocence, beloved possession, and the victim of exploitation. This imagery connects to broader biblical themes of God's care for the vulnerable, the sin of covetousness, and the prophetic confrontation of injustice. Understanding it as a specific 'ewe' (not just a generic 'lamb') enriches the parable's emotional force, depicting a specific, nurtured life wrongfully taken.

In ancient Near Eastern pastoral societies, sheep were a primary measure of wealth and a key source of food, wool, and religious sacrifice. A ewe was particularly valuable for breeding and sustaining a flock. The description in 2 Samuel 12:3 of the ewe eating from the owner's plate and drinking from his cup depicts an unusual level of domestication and affection, elevating it from mere livestock to a household companion. This contrasts with modern, more impersonal husbandry and highlights the deep personal connection possible in ancient subsistence living.

כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, H3532) — a male lamb or a young ram. שֶׂה (seh, H7716) — a more general term for a sheep or goat, of either sex and any age. רָחֵל (rachel, H7353) — a mature ewe, often used poetically.

Word Details

Scripture References