זָבַד
to confer
Definition
The Hebrew verb זָבַד (zâbad) means 'to give' or 'to bestow,' specifically in the context of granting a gift or endowment. In its single biblical occurrence, it carries the sense of a husband giving his wife a special gift or honor. The KJV translates it as 'endure,' but modern lexicons and translations (e.g., ESV, NASB) understand it as 'to give' or 'to present,' reflecting a bestowal of status or blessing. This meaning is derived from the context of Genesis 30:20, where Leah declares that her husband has given her a good dowry.
Biblical Usage
זָבַד is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 30:20. Leah says, 'God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.' Here, the verb is used in a marital context, describing Jacob's act of giving Leah a gift or dowry, which she interprets as an honor following the birth of her sixth son. The usage is specific to a personal, familial blessing rather than a general act of giving.
Etymology
זָבַד is a primitive root verb in Hebrew. It is related to the noun זֶבֶד (zeved, H2065), meaning 'gift' or 'endowment,' which appears in the same verse (Genesis 30:20). Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic and Aramaic, also carry meanings related to giving or bestowing, indicating a shared linguistic root for the concept of granting a gift.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, זָבַד highlights the theme of divine blessing and human honor within the covenant family. In Genesis 30:20, Leah recognizes her children as a gift from God, and her husband's endowment as a further honor, illustrating how material and relational blessings are intertwined in God's providence. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by showing how personal gifts can reflect divine favor and social standing in biblical narratives.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a dowry or gift from a husband to a wife was a significant social transaction, often affirming the wife's value and status within the family. Leah's statement in Genesis 30:20 reflects this context, where bearing sons increased a woman's honor, and a husband's gift formally acknowledged that. The word's meaning differs from modern casual 'giving,' as it implies a formal bestowal with cultural weight.
נָתַן (nāthan, H5414) — a general verb for 'to give,' used broadly, whereas זָבַד implies a specific, honorific endowment. יָהַב (yāhab, H3051) — another verb for 'to give' or 'to ascribe,' often used in poetic or formal contexts, but not limited to marital gifts like זָבַד.
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.
Full methodology & sources →