English · KJV
H3429

יֹשֵׁב בַּשֶּׁבֶת

Yôshêb bash-Shebeth /yo-shabe' bash-sheh'-beth/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the active participle of יָשַׁב and שֶׁבֶת, with a preposition and the article interposed
Meaningsitting in the seat; Joshebbash-Shebeth, an Israelite
KJV usagethat sat in the seat.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Yôshêb bash-Shebeth — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew phrase Yôshêb bash-Shebeth, represented by H3429, literally means sitting in the seat. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. This unique term is derived from the active participle of yâshab (to sit) and shebeth (seat), and it functions as a specific title for an Israelite warrior.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H3429 is in a list of King David's most honored warriors. It is used to identify a man known as "The Tachmonite that sat in the seat," who was "chief among the captains" 2 Samuel 23:8. The title seems to denote his preeminent rank and position of authority among David's elite fighting men. This same individual is credited with an extraordinary feat of valor in the same verse.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of this title by providing context for authority and position:

  • H3427 yâshab: This primitive root means to sit down, remain, or dwell. It is the verbal foundation of H3429 and is used in contexts of both physical posture and established position, such as the LORD's invitation to "Sit thou at my right hand" Psalms 110:1.
  • H7675 shebeth: This word means a seat, place, or abode. It forms the second part of the compound term H3429 and signifies a specific location or session. It can be used to describe a place of honor, but also a "seat of violence" Amos 6:3.
  • H7218 rôʼsh: Meaning the head, this word is used figuratively for a chief, ruler, or the beginning of something. In the context of H3429, it defines the warrior's rank as the "chief" of the captains 2 Samuel 23:8, reinforcing the idea of supreme authority.

Theological Significance

While appearing only once, the theological weight of H3429 is tied to its function as a title of God-given authority within a divinely anointed kingdom.

  • A Title of Rank: The phrase is not merely descriptive but serves as a formal title. It is used to identify the "chief H7218 among the captains H7991" 2 Samuel 23:8, signifying an established position of leadership and honor.
  • Seat of Authority: The concept of a "seat" H7675 is tied to one's designated role. For this mighty man, "sitting in the seat" H3429 represents his specific, high-ranking place within David's military order.
  • Designation of Identity: In a list of "names H8034" of mighty men, this title serves as a unique identifier 2 Samuel 23:8. It links a person's identity directly to their role and status.

Summary

In summary, H3429 is a highly specific title used once in scripture to denote the highest-ranking warrior among David's mighty men. As a compound phrase meaning "sitting in the seat," it encapsulates the concepts of established authority, preeminent rank, and personal identity tied to an honored position. Its significance comes from its unique application to a specific individual who held a chief place of honor.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יֹשֵׁב
  • בַּשֶּׁבֶת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3427 יָשַׁב a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remai H7675 שֶׁבֶת infinitive of יָשַׁב; properly, session; but used also concretely, an abode or locality; place, seat. Compare יֹשֵׁב בַּ H7218 רֹאשׁ from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in man H7991 שָׁלִישׁ or שָׁלוֹשׁ; (1 Chronicles 11:11; 1 Chronicles 12:18), or שָׁלֹשׁ; (2 Samuel 23:13), from שָׁלוֹשׁ; a triple, i.e. (as a H8034 שֵׁם a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appel

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in 2 Samuel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.