לֵב

Meaning:

The heart

Used figuratively for the feelings, the will and even the intellect

The centre of anything

Noun, masculine (although conceptually neutral, being used for both men and women). Occurs nearly 600 times in the Old Testament.

Range of Meaning in the Bible

Occasionally used for the physical organ of the heart, for example “Nabal’s heart died within him” ().

Often used to describe the inner Person or mind, the seat of thought, reflection, and understanding. Hebrew anthropology sees thinking as occurring in the heart (rather than the brain). For example, “The LORD saw that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” ().

The word also describes a person's will or intention, that is, the centre of a person’s decisions and moral choices. For example, “Pharaoh hardened his heart” (), meaning he made a deliberate choice.

The לֵב is also the source of feelings—joy, fear, courage, or sorrow. For example, “Take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24).

And sometimes the word refers to one's sense of right and wrong, for example, “David’s heart struck him” (), or in other words, his conscience troubled him.

Theological Significance

The לֵב represents the core of human identity—thought, feeling, and will united.

God judges the לֵב: “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” ().

The לֵב can be deceitful or pure, hard or soft, circumcised or uncircumcised (a metaphor for spiritual condition) ( and ).

The Shema () commands love for God “with all your heart” - this means with your entire inner being, your mind, will, and emotion.

Forms

Singular

Number	Gender	Meaning / Use	Example	Hebrew Form
Singular	Masculine	“heart” (common form)	לֵב
Singular (variant)	Masculine	Poetic or emphatic form of “heart”	לֵבָב

Plural

Number	Gender	Meaning / Use	Notes	Hebrew Form
Plural	Feminine	“hearts” (common plural of לֵבָב)	Most frequent plural form	לְבָבוֹת
Plural (alternative)	Feminine	“hearts”	Rare poetic form	לֵבוֹת
Plural (alternative)	Masculine	“hearts”	Rare, mostly poetic or late usage	לְבָבִים