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לִוְיָה

𐤋𐤅𐤉𐤄

livyâh

H3880 noun

SILEX Entry

Root לוה to join, attach, accompany

Definition

A decorative item worn around the head or neck, usually in the form of a garland, wreath, or necklace, symbolizing honor, achievement, esteem, or adornment. The term refers concretely to ornamental objects or accessories that encircle and beautify, frequently used in poetic passages to suggest honor, dignity, or reward.

Semantic Range

wreath, garland, necklace, decorative circlet, symbol of honor, metaphor for esteem or reward, figurative ornamentation in wisdom or poetry

Root / Etymology

From the root לוה (l-w-h), meaning 'to join, attach, accompany.' לִוְיָה is derived as a feminine noun from this root, indicating 'that which is joined' or 'something used for encircling/ornamentation.' The connection between the sense of 'attaching' and 'wreath/ornament' lies in the way such items are fastened or laid upon the person. It is not a generic term for all ornaments but specifically those that attach by being placed around the body.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical usage, לִוְיָה appears primarily in poetic or wisdom texts (Proverbs 1:9; 4:9), where it metaphorically describes wisdom and instruction as an attractive, honorable ornament for the one who embraces them. It is distinct from other terms for jewelry or adornments, such as עֲדִי ('ornament') or נֶזֶם ('ring, nose ring'), through its emphasis on encircling or attaching, particularly as a wreath or garland. The later English term 'wreath' or 'necklace' may not convey the full connotation of honor and esteem implied in its figurative biblical usage. In ancient Israelite culture, wearing a לִוְיָה would signal acceptance, reward, or the bestowal of dignity. The word does not appear in legal texts or in lists of priestly vestments, indicating its usage was largely literary and symbolic rather than prescriptive. Over time, the semantic emphasis remained on honorific ornamentation, and the term does not denote ritual or cultic objects. The translation 'ornament' risks flattening its particular image in biblical Hebrew as something both beautiful and encircling, typically worn on the head (garland) or neck (necklace).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from לָוָה; something attached, i.e. a wreath; ornament.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לוה (l-w-h) — to join, attach, accompany

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3867 לָוָה the self-joined one
H3878 לֵוִי the Joined-one
H3879 לֵוִי and the joined-ones
H3881 לֵוִיִּי Joined-One
H3882 לִוְיָתָן coiled sea-dragon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3880-01 לִוְיַ֤ת liveyat HNcfsc a garland encircling garland-of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3880-01 Proverbs 1:9 לִוְיַ֤ת liveyat HNcfsc garland encircling garland-of
H3880-01 Proverbs 4:9 לִוְיַת liveyat HNcfsc a garland encircling garland-of
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