לָבָן

white

Definition

The Hebrew word לָבָן (lâbân) primarily means 'white' and describes the color of various objects. In its most literal sense, it refers to the color of physical items, such as the white hair of a person (Leviticus 13:3) or the white manna from heaven (Exodus 16:31). In the context of Leviticus 13-14, it is a key diagnostic term for skin diseases ('leprosy'), where a 'white swelling' or 'white spot' indicates ritual impurity. The word can also carry a positive connotation of brightness or purity, as in the poetic description of wine making teeth look white in Genesis 49:12.

Biblical Usage

לָבָן is used 24 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the Pentateuch. Its most frequent and significant usage is in the priestly laws of Leviticus 13-14, where it describes the symptoms of skin disease for ritual diagnosis (e.g., Leviticus 13:3, 13:10). It also appears in narrative contexts describing the color of animals (the white sheep and goats in Genesis 30:35, 30:37) and food (the white manna in Exodus 16:31). Its single poetic use is in Jacob's blessing, describing teeth made white by wine (Genesis 49:12).

Etymology

לָבָן is a noun derived from the verbal root לָבַן (H3835, lāḇan), which means 'to be white' or 'to make white.' This root gives the word its core meaning of whiteness. The name Laban (לָבָן), Jacob's uncle, is the same word, possibly meaning 'white one.' The root is also connected to the word for 'brick' (לְבֵנָה, ləḇēnâ), likely due to the pale color of sun-dried clay.

Semantic Range

While primarily a descriptive color term, לָבָן gains theological significance in the context of the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus, whiteness is not merely a color but a critical sign of ritual purity or impurity. A 'white swelling' on the skin rendered a person unclean and required priestly examination and atonement. This connects the physical state to spiritual concepts of cleanness before God. Furthermore, its use for the divinely provided manna (Exodus 16:31) associates the color with God's provision.

In ancient Israelite culture, the color white held symbolic meaning. In Levitical law, a white spot on the skin was a serious matter, leading to social and religious exclusion until cleansed, highlighting the community's focus on ritual purity. The description of teeth as 'white' in Genesis 49:12 was a mark of health, prosperity, and enjoyment. The association of whiteness with the miraculous manna underscored its heavenly, pure origin, distinct from ordinary food.

צַח (ṣaḥ, H6703) — denotes dazzling or glowing white, often of polished metal or intense brightness. חִוֵּר (ḥiwwēr, H2356) — describes a pallid or pale white, often associated with fear or sickness (e.g., pale-faced).

Word Details

Scripture References