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לֹיָה

𐤋𐤉𐤄

lôyâh

H3914 noun

SILEX Entry

Root לוה to join, attach, accompany

Definition

A wreath, garland, or ornamental headpiece, typically made of foliage, used as a symbol of honor, celebration, or distinction. The term also extends to the idea of a crown or mark of favor. In some contexts, it can carry the broader sense of an addition or adornment that enhances status or beauty.

Semantic Range

wreath, garland, ornamental headpiece, crown (metaphorical), adornment, addition

Root / Etymology

From the root לוה (l-w-h), meaning 'to join, to attach, to accompany'. לֹיָה is a noun formation that likely denotes something that is joined or placed upon, such as a wreath or garland added as an adornment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

לֹיָה is a rare term in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only in poetic or wisdom literature (notably Proverbs 1:9 and 4:9), where it signifies an honorific wreath placed on the head, metaphorically representing honor, glory, or the positive outcome of pursuing wisdom. It reflects cultural practices in the ancient Near East of awarding garlands for achievement or distinction. Unlike its related form לִוְיָה (livyāh), which more generally means 'joining' or 'attachment,' לֹיָה functions specifically as a tangible symbol of honor. English translations often render it as 'wreath,' 'garland,' or less precisely as 'crown'; however, the term's nuance as a decorative addition should be noted. The concept parallels Greek and Mesopotamian traditions of rewarding victors or esteemed guests with wreaths, but is used metaphorically in the Hebrew tradition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a form of לִוְיָה; a wreath; addition.

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
H3880 לִוְיָה encircling garland-of
H3881 לֵוִיִּי Joined-One

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3914-01 לֹי֖וֹת loyot HNcfpa wreaths adornment-wreaths 2
H3914-02 וְ/לֹי֖וֹת veloyot HC/Ncfpa and wreaths and wreaths 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3914-01 1 Kings 7:29 לֹי֖וֹת loyot HNcfpa wreaths adornment-wreaths
H3914-01 1 Kings 7:30 לֹיֽוֹת loyot HNcfpa wreaths adornment-wreaths
H3914-02 1 Kings 7:36 וְ/לֹי֖וֹת veloyot HC/Ncfpa and wreaths and wreaths
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