Word Studies¶
Question¶
What does "honor" (kabed, H3513) mean in Hebrew? How is this concept translated and applied across the OT and NT?
1. כָּבַד (kabed) — H3513 — "to be heavy; to honor, glorify"¶
Original: כָּבַד Transliteration: kabad / kabed Pronunciation: kaw-bad / kaw-bade Part of Speech: Verb Root meaning: "to be heavy, weighty" Occurrences: 116 (BLB count)
Definition¶
A primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses).
Semantic Range¶
The root כבד carries a core metaphor: weight = significance. The same root produces:
| Sense | Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical heaviness | "heavy" | Exo 17:12 — Moses' hands were heavy |
| Severity | "grievous, sore" | Gen 18:20 — sin very grievous |
| Dullness | "hardened, dim" | Exo 8:11 — Pharaoh hardened his heart; Gen 48:10 — eyes were dim |
| Abundance | "rich, numerous" | Gen 13:2 — Abram was very rich (heavy with possessions) |
| Honor/Glory | "honour, glorify" | Exo 20:12 — Honour thy father; Isa 43:4 — thou hast been honourable |
Stem Analysis¶
| Stem | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Qal | to be heavy, honored | 1Sa 9:6 — "an honourable man" |
| Niphal | to be honored, glorified | Isa 49:5 — "I shall be glorious" |
| Piel | to honor, glorify (factitive) | Exo 20:12 — "Honour thy father" |
| Pual | to be honored | Pro 13:18 — "he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured" |
| Hiphil | to make heavy, cause honor | 1Sa 2:29 — "honourest thy sons above me" |
| Hithpael | to make oneself heavy, boast | Pro 12:9 — "than he that honoureth himself" |
The commandment uses Piel stem — the intensive/factitive form: "make [someone] heavy/weighty" = actively ascribe weight, value, significance to parents.
Hebrew Parsing of Exo 20:12¶
- כַּבֵּד (kabed) — Piel InfAbs functioning as imperative
- Direct objects: אֶת אָבִיךָ (your father) and אֶת אִמֶּךָ (your mother)
- Purpose clause: למען יאריכון ימיך (that your days may be long)
- Location: על האדמה (upon the land)
Key Verses Using H3513 in Context of Honor¶
- Exo 20:12 — "Honour thy father and thy mother"
- Deu 5:16 — "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee"
- 1Sa 2:30 — "them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed"
- Pro 3:9 — "Honour the LORD with thy substance"
- Isa 29:13 — "this people...honoureth me with their lips"
- Mal 1:6 — "A son honoureth his father...if then I be a father, where is mine honour?"
LXX Translation of H3513¶
The primary Greek translations in the Septuagint reveal how the concept was understood:
| Greek | Translation | Count | Score | Semantic Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| βαρύνω (barynō) | to burden, make heavy | 25 | 23.83 | Physical weight sense |
| δοξάζω (doxazō) | to glorify | 28 | 22.04 | Glory/splendor sense |
| τιμάω (timao) | to prize, honor | 10 | 15.62 | Value/esteem sense — used in Exo 20:12 LXX and all NT quotations |
| ἔνδοξος (endoxos) | glorious, splendid | 14 | 16.60 | Adjectival glory |
| σκληρύνω (sklērynō) | to harden | 3 | 5.90 | Hardening sense (Pharaoh) |
2. כָּבוֹד (kabod) — H3519 — "glory, honor, splendor"¶
Original: כָּבוֹד Transliteration: kabod Pronunciation: kaw-bode Part of Speech: Masculine noun (derived from H3513) Occurrences: 200
Definition¶
From H3513; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
Significance¶
This is the noun form of the same root as the commandment verb. The "glory of God" (kabod YHWH) is built on the same metaphor as "honor your parents" — giving weight/significance. When Mal 1:6 asks "where is mine honour (kabod)?", God uses the parent-child relationship to illuminate the honor due to Him.
Top Translations¶
glory (62), honour (21+), glorious (5+)
3. כָּבֵד (kabed adj.) — H3515 — "heavy; severe; honorable"¶
Original: כָּבֵד (adjective form) Transliteration: kabed Part of Speech: Adjective Occurrences: 38
Definition¶
From H3513; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid).
Significance¶
This adjective shows the full range of the root: grievous (7), great (7), heavy (6), sore (4). The same word that means "heavy/burdensome" also means "great/significant" — illustrating how "weight" becomes "importance/honor."
4. כֹּבֶד (kobed) — H3514 — "weight, heaviness"¶
Original: כֹּבֶד (noun) Transliteration: kobed Part of Speech: Masculine noun Occurrences: 4
Definition¶
From H3513; weight, multitude, vehemence: grievousness, heavy, great number.
Significance¶
The abstract noun — pure "weight/heaviness." Only 4 occurrences (Pro 27:3; Isa 21:15; 30:27; Nah 3:3), all in the literal/physical sense. This confirms the concrete root meaning from which the metaphorical "honor" develops.
5. יָרֵא (yare) — H3372 — "to fear, to revere"¶
Original: יָרֵא Transliteration: yare Pronunciation: yaw-ray Part of Speech: Verb Occurrences: 314
Definition¶
A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten.
Relationship to H3513 (kabed)¶
Used in Lev 19:3 instead of kabed: "Ye shall fear (tira'u) every man his mother, and his father." This parallels the 5th commandment but uses a different word — the same word used for fearing God (e.g., Deu 6:13; 10:12,20).
Key Parsing — Lev 19:3¶
- תִּירָאוּ (tira'u) — Qal Imperfect 2mp — "you shall fear/revere"
- Mother listed first, then father (reversed from Exo 20:12)
- Directly paired with Sabbath observance
Significance¶
The use of yare for parents in Lev 19:3 elevates parental honor to the same register as reverence for God. Both kabed (honor/give weight) and yare (fear/revere) are used for both God and parents: - Honor God: Pro 3:9 (kabed); honor parents: Exo 20:12 (kabed) - Fear God: Deu 6:13 (yare); fear parents: Lev 19:3 (yare)
6. יָקַר (yaqar) — H3365 — "to be heavy; to be precious"¶
Original: יָקַר Transliteration: yaqar Pronunciation: yaw-kar Part of Speech: Verb Occurrences: 11
Definition¶
A primitive root; properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare.
Significance¶
A second Hebrew root meaning "to be heavy" that also means "to be precious/valued." This confirms the cultural metaphor: heaviness = value = honor. Same semantic development as kabed but through a different word family.
7. τιμάω (timao) — G5091 — "to prize, to honor"¶
Original: τιμάω Transliteration: timao Pronunciation: tim-ah-oh Part of Speech: Verb Occurrences: 21
Definition¶
From G5092 (time); to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.
Key NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Text | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mat 15:4 | "Honour thy father and mother" | Jesus quoting 5th commandment |
| Mat 15:8 | "honoureth me with their lips" | Quoting Isa 29:13 |
| Mat 19:19 | "Honour thy father and thy mother" | To rich young ruler |
| Mar 7:10 | "Honour thy father and thy mother" | Corban controversy |
| Mar 10:19 | "Honour thy father and mother" | To rich young ruler |
| Luk 18:20 | "Honour thy father and thy mother" | To rich young ruler |
| Jhn 5:23 | "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father" | Honor for God |
| Jhn 8:49 | "I honour my Father" | Jesus honoring His Father |
| Eph 6:2 | "Honour thy father and mother" | Paul's quotation |
| 1Ti 5:3 | "Honour widows that are widows indeed" | Practical provision |
| 1Pe 2:17 | "Honour all men...Honour the king" | General honor |
Hebrew Source¶
The primary Hebrew source for G5091 is H3513 (kabed) with a PMI score of 15.62 (count: 10). This confirms a direct translation relationship: LXX translated kabed as timao when the commandment was rendered into Greek.
Etymology¶
τιμάω derives from τιμή (time, G5092) = "a value, price." The root concept is fixing a price/value upon something. To honor parents is literally to set a high value on them.
8. τιμή (time) — G5092 — "value, honor, price"¶
Original: τιμή Transliteration: time Pronunciation: tee-may Part of Speech: Feminine noun Occurrences: 43
Definition¶
From G5091; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree).
Dual Meaning: Price and Honor¶
This word combines both "monetary price" and "honor/esteem": - Price/value: Mat 27:9 — "the price of him that was valued"; Acts 4:34; 5:2 — price of possessions; 1Co 6:20 — "bought with a price" - Honor/esteem: Rom 2:7; 12:10; 13:7; 1Ti 5:17 — "double honour"; 1Pe 2:7 — "he is precious"
Significance for the 5th Commandment¶
The dual meaning illuminates the commandment: honoring parents involves both esteem (attitude) and tangible provision (resources). This is precisely what the Corban controversy addresses — the Pharisees withheld material support (price/value) while claiming to honor God.
9. ὑπακούω (hupakouō) — G5219 — "to hear under; to obey"¶
Original: ὑπακούω Transliteration: hupakouō Pronunciation: hoop-ak-oo-oh Part of Speech: Verb Occurrences: 21
Definition¶
From hupo (G5259, under) + akouō (G191, to hear); to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority.
Key Occurrences in Parent Context¶
- Eph 6:1 — "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right"
- Col 3:20 — "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord"
Etymology¶
The literal meaning "hear under" (as a subordinate) captures the relational dynamic: children are to place themselves "under" the hearing/authority of parents. This is active, attentive listening that results in compliance.
Relationship to timao (G5091)¶
Paul uses BOTH words in Eph 6:1-2: - v.1: ὑπακούετε (hupakouete) — obey your parents (behavioral obedience) - v.2: τίμα (tima) — honour thy father and mother (valuation/esteem)
This suggests that obedience and honor are related but distinct: obedience is the behavioral dimension; honor is the attitudinal/valuational dimension.
10. ὑπακοή (hupakoe) — G5218 — "obedience"¶
Original: ὑπακοή Transliteration: hupakoe Part of Speech: Feminine noun Occurrences: 15
Definition¶
From G5219; attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission.
Usage¶
Primarily in theological contexts: obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26), obedience to the gospel (Rom 6:16,17), obedience of Christ (2Co 10:5; Heb 5:8). The same concept applied to children's obedience to parents.
11. τέκνον (teknon) — G5043 — "a child (as produced)"¶
Original: τέκνον Transliteration: teknon Part of Speech: Neuter noun Occurrences: 99
Definition¶
From the base of G5088 (tiktō, to bear/produce); a child (as produced): child, daughter, son.
Key Occurrences¶
- Eph 6:1 — "Children (ta tekna), obey your parents"
- Col 3:20 — "Children (ta tekna), obey your parents"
- Luk 2:48 — "thy father and I have sought thee" (Mary to the child Jesus)
- Luk 14:26 — "hate not his...children (ta tekna)"
12. ἐντολή (entole) — G1785 — "commandment"¶
Original: ἐντολή Transliteration: entole Part of Speech: Feminine noun Occurrences: 71
Definition¶
From G1781; injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription: commandment, precept.
Key Uses in 5th Commandment Context¶
- Mat 15:3 — "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
- Eph 6:2 — "which is the first commandment with promise"
- Mar 7:8 — "laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men"
- Mar 7:9 — "Full well ye reject the commandment of God"
Significance¶
Jesus and Paul both use entole (G1785) — the specific word for God's authoritative moral commandments — when referring to the 5th commandment. This places it in the highest category of divine instruction.
13. ἐπαγγελία (epaggelia) — G1860 — "promise"¶
Original: ἐπαγγελία Transliteration: epaggelia Part of Speech: Feminine noun Occurrences: 53
Definition¶
From G1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good): message, promise.
Key Usage¶
- Eph 6:2 — "the first commandment with promise"
- The "promise" is stated in Eph 6:3: "That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth"
Significance¶
Paul's identification of the 5th commandment as "the first commandment with promise" (entole prote en epaggelia) is a significant theological statement. The word epaggelia is used predominantly for God's covenant promises (Abraham: Acts 7:17; Gal 3:14-29; resurrection: Acts 26:6; Holy Spirit: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; eternal life: 1Jn 2:25).
14. μισέω (miseo) — G3404 — "to hate, detest"¶
Original: μισέω Transliteration: miseo Pronunciation: mis-eh-oh Part of Speech: Verb Occurrences: 42
Definition¶
From a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less.
Key Usage¶
- Luk 14:26 — "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother..."
- Compare Mat 10:37 — "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (uses hyper emé, "above me" — NOT miseo)
LXX Background¶
The LXX uses miseo to translate Hebrew sane' (H8130) in contexts of comparative preference: - Gen 29:31 — Leah was "hated" (miseo/sane') — meaning less loved than Rachel (v.30: "he loved also Rachel more than Leah") - Deu 21:15 — "if a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated" — comparative preference in marriage law
Significance for Luk 14:26¶
The Semitic idiom "hate" = "love less / not prefer" is confirmed by the Matthew parallel (10:37), which replaces "hate" with "loves more than me." Jesus is not commanding literal hatred of parents (which would contradict the 5th commandment He Himself affirmed), but establishing a priority hierarchy: God first, then parents.
Hebrew Parsing Summary Table¶
| Verse | Hebrew | Root | Stem | Gloss | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exo 20:12 | כַּבֵּד | כבד (kbd) | Piel InfAbs (=Imperative) | honor | Direct command; purpose: long days on the land |
| Deu 5:16 | כַּבֵּד | כבד (kbd) | Piel InfAbs (=Imperative) | honor | Adds "as YHWH commanded" + "that it may go well" |
| Lev 19:3 | תִּירָאוּ | ירא (yr') | Qal Impf 2mp | fear/revere | Mother first; paired with Sabbath; "I am YHWH" |
Greek Parsing Summary Table¶
| Verse | Greek | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eph 6:1 | ὑπακούετε | ὑπακούω | G5219 | Pres Act Impv 2P | "obey...in the Lord" |
| Eph 6:2 | τίμα | τιμάω | G5091 | Pres Act Impv 2S | "honour...first commandment with promise" |
| Eph 6:3 | μακροχρόνιος | μακροχρόνιος | G3118 | Adj Nom Sg M | "long-lived on the earth" (hapax) |
| Col 3:20 | ὑπακούετε | ὑπακούω | G5219 | Pres Act Impv 2P | "obey...in all things...well pleasing" |
| Mat 15:4 | Τίμα | τιμάω | G5091 | Pres Act Impv 2S | Jesus quotes to Pharisees; "God commanded" |
| Mat 15:4 | κακολογῶν | κακολογέω | G2551 | Pres Act Ptcp NSM | "the one speaking evil of" father/mother |
| Luk 14:26 | μισεῖ | μισέω | G3404 | Pres Act Ind 3S | "hate" = comparative preference (cf. Mat 10:37) |