Original Word: לְבָנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: lbanah
Pronunciation: leh-baw-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (leb-aw-naw')
KJV: moon See also H3838
NASB: moon, full moon
Word Origin: [from H3835 (לָבַן - To be white)]

1. (properly) (the) white, i.e. the moon

moon

From laban; properly, (the) white, i.e. The moon -- moon. See also Lbana'.

see HEBREW laban

see HEBREW Lbana'

Word Origin
from laben
Definition
moon
NASB Translation
full moon (1), moon (2).

I. לְבָּנָה noun feminine moon, in poetry (Late Hebrew id.); — ׳ל Isaiah 24:23 2t.; shall pale before ׳י Isaiah 24:23 ("" חַמָּה); shall become like sun (חַמָּה) in day of ׳יs redemption Isaiah 30:26 (׳אוֺר הַלְּ); simile of woman's beauty, ׳יָפָה כַלְּ Songs 6:10 ("" חַמָּה).

Overview

Leḇānāh names the moon in poetic and prophetic contexts, emphasizing its whiteness and reflective brilliance. Unlike yārēaḥ, the everyday Hebrew term, leḇānāh appears only three times, each time drawing attention to glory, beauty, and cosmic upheaval surrounding the Divine presence.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Song of Songs 6:10 – “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners”.
2. Isaiah 24:23 – “The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord of Hosts will reign…”.
3. Isaiah 30:26 – “The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun…”.

Literary and Theological Themes

• Bridal Beauty: In Song of Songs 6:10, leḇānāh depicts the Shulammite’s splendor. Her reflected light anticipates the church’s radiance derived from Christ (Ephesians 5:27).
• Divine Supremacy: Isaiah 24:23 contrasts created luminaries with the surpassing glory of the enthroned LORD; even the moon’s whiteness pales before Him.
• Restoration Hope: Isaiah 30:26 pictures an eschatological reversal—wounds healed, light amplified, covenant blessings fully renewed.

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimension

Leḇānāh participates in a broader biblical pattern where heavenly bodies signal climactic divine action (Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 21:23). Isaiah’s visions project a day when the moon’s current limitations give way to unprecedented brilliance, foreshadowing the new creation where “night will be no more” (Revelation 22:5).

Christ and the Church

As the moon reflects the sun, so the redeemed reflect the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Song of Songs 6:10 supplies a nuptial metaphor: the Bride, made “fair as the moon,” mirrors her Beloved’s light while marching “as an army with banners,” prepared for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Historical and Cultural Context

In the Ancient Near East, lunar deities were venerated for regulating calendars and agriculture. Scripture repurposes lunar imagery, refusing idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:19) and subordinating the moon to the Creator’s covenantal purposes (Genesis 1:16; Psalm 136:9). The rare use of leḇānāh intensifies this polemic by stressing beauty granted by God, not inherent divinity.

Ministry Application

• Worship: Isaiah 24:23 calls believers to magnify God whose glory eclipses all created lights.
• Holiness: The church, like the moon, has no light of its own; faithful reflection requires abiding in Christ (John 15:4).
• Hope in Suffering: Isaiah 30:26 strengthens those in affliction, promising a future when brokenness is bound up and light is multiplied.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Whiteness and Purity – shared root with lāḇān (“white”) links the moon to cleansing (Isaiah 1:18).
• Signs and Seasons – lunar cycles mark festivals (Psalm 104:19), reminding the church of God’s orderly governance.
• Cosmic Diminishment – prophetic dimming or reddening of the moon signals judgment (Joel 2:31), urging repentance and readiness.

By tracing leḇānāh through Scripture, one beholds a tapestry of reflected glory, prophetic warning, and ultimate restoration, all culminating in the unrivaled light of God’s eternal reign.

הַלְּבָנָ֔ה הַלְּבָנָה֙ הלבנה כַלְּבָנָ֗ה כלבנה challevaNah hal·lə·ḇā·nāh halləḇānāh hallevaNah ḵal·lə·ḇā·nāh ḵalləḇānāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts