of foreign origin; Seba, a son of Cush, and the country settled by him; Seba.
Transliteration:Çᵉbâʼ
Pronunciation:seb-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma סְבָא (Çᵉbâʼ), Strong's number `{{H5434}}`, functions primarily as a proper noun, designating both a person and the geographical region or people group descended from him. Its base definition indicates an origin "of foreign origin," which is fitting for a distant land and people from the perspective of ancient Israel. Specifically, it refers to Seba, a son of Cush, thereby establishing a genealogical and geographical link to the lineage of Ham. Semantically, it encompasses:
1. **A Personal Name:** Seba, the firstborn son of Cush, as listed in the Table of Nations.
2. **A Geographical Region/Nation:** The territory and people settled by this descendant, typically identified with a part of Northeast Africa, often associated with Nubia or Ethiopia, distinct from but frequently linked with Cush itself.
Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing on a specific ethno-geographical entity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Çᵉbâʼ (Seba) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in genealogical lists and prophetic utterances.
1. **Genealogical Context:**
* [[Genesis 10:7]]: Seba is listed as the first of the five sons of Cush, alongside Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. This placement in the Table of Nations establishes Seba as an early and significant branch of humanity, tracing its lineage from Noah through Ham.
* [[1 Chronicles 1:9]]: This verse reiterates the genealogical record from Genesis, confirming Seba's position as a son of Cush. These early occurrences are foundational, identifying the origin of the people group.
2. **Prophetic and Poetic Contexts:**
* [[Psalm 72:10]]: "May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!" Here, Seba is paired with Sheba (`{{H7614}}`), representing distant, wealthy nations that will pay homage to the righteous king, a clear messianic prophecy envisioning universal submission to God's anointed one. The bringing of "gifts" (מִנְחָה, *minchah*) signifies tribute and reverence.
* [[Isaiah 43:3]]: "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place." In this powerful declaration of divine redemption, God emphasizes His commitment to Israel by offering powerful and valuable nations like Egypt (`{{H4714}}`), Ethiopia (Cush, `{{H3568}}`), and Seba as a "ransom" (כֹּפֶר, *kopher*). This underscores Seba's perceived wealth or strategic importance.
* [[Isaiah 45:14]]: "Thus says the Lord: 'The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you, and there is no other; there is no God besides him.'" Here, "Sabeans" (סְבָאִים, *Seba'im*), derived from Seba, are described as "men of stature" (אִישׁ מִדָּה, *ish middah*), indicating their strength or notable physical presence. They, along with Egypt and Ethiopia, represent the nations that will ultimately acknowledge and submit to the God of Israel.
* [[Ezekiel 38:13]]: "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your company to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?'" Seba is implicitly referenced through its association with Sheba (`{{H7614}}`) and other trading nations (Dedan, Tarshish) who question the motives of Gog's invasion. This context reinforces the perception of Seba as a land of wealth and commerce.
Across these contexts, Seba consistently appears as a distant and significant nation, often associated with wealth, stature, and a location in Northeast Africa, frequently linked with Cush (Ethiopia) and Egypt.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Çᵉbâʼ (Seba) is enriched by its connections to several related words and concepts:
1. **Cush (`{{H3568}}`):** Seba's father and the broader region often identified with Ethiopia or Nubia. This relationship is fundamental, anchoring Seba geographically and ethnically within the broader Cushite sphere.
2. **Sheba (`{{H7614}}` / `{{H7615}}`):** While distinct from Seba, Sheba is often mentioned alongside it (e.g., [[Psalm 72:10]], [[Ezekiel 38:13]]). Sheba is typically associated with South Arabia (modern Yemen), famous for its spices, gold, and the Queen of Sheba. The pairing of Seba and Sheba in biblical texts likely reflects their shared reputation as distant, wealthy trading nations, possibly with overlapping spheres of influence or trade routes, rather than a single entity.
3. **Egypt (`{{H4714}}`):** Frequently grouped with Seba and Cush, especially in prophetic literature (e.g., [[Isaiah 43:3]], [[Isaiah 45:14]]). This reinforces Seba's geographical location in the Nile Valley or adjacent regions.
4. **Wealth and Merchandise:** The contexts in Isaiah and Ezekiel strongly associate Seba with valuable goods, trade, and economic significance. This aligns with historical knowledge of ancient trade routes through Northeast Africa.
5. **Distant Nations/Universalism:** Seba, along with other far-off lands, symbolizes the remote parts of the earth that will ultimately be brought into God's plan, whether through tribute, redemption, or judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Seba, though a proper noun, is profound, particularly in its symbolic representation of God's universal sovereignty and redemptive purposes.
1. **Divine Ordering of Humanity:** As a descendant of Noah through Ham and Cush, Seba's inclusion in the Table of Nations [[Genesis 10:7]] underscores God's meticulous creation and ordering of all peoples and nations. It affirms the divine origin and interconnectedness of diverse human groups.
2. **Universal Homage to the Messiah:** The prophetic vision in [[Psalm 72:10]] depicts kings from Seba bringing gifts to the Davidic king, a clear foreshadowing of the Messiah's global dominion. This signifies that all earthly power, wealth, and authority, even from the most distant and powerful nations, will ultimately bow in submission and worship before the Anointed One of God. It speaks to the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan.
3. **God's Valuing of Israel and Costly Redemption:** In [[Isaiah 43:3]], God declares His willingness to "give" nations like Seba as a ransom for Israel. This powerful imagery highlights the immense value God places on His covenant people and the extraordinary lengths to which He will go to secure their salvation. It demonstrates that even powerful and wealthy nations are ultimately subservient to God's sovereign will and His specific purposes for Israel.
4. **Future Ingathering and Recognition of God:** The "men of stature" from Seba coming to Israel and acknowledging the Lord [[Isaiah 45:14]] points to a future eschatological reality where the nations will recognize and submit to the God of Israel. This prefigures the New Testament vision of the church, composed of believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, drawn to the light emanating from Zion.
5. **Symbol of Earthly Power Subject to God:** Throughout its appearances, Seba represents a significant, distant earthly power. Its various roles—whether bringing tribute, being offered as a ransom, or submitting to God—consistently reinforce the theological truth that all earthly kingdoms, their wealth, and their strength are ultimately subject to the divine will and purposes of the Almighty God.
### Summary
Seba (Çᵉbâʼ, `{{H5434}}`) is a proper noun identifying both a son of Cush and the prominent nation/people group descended from him, typically located in Northeast Africa, often associated with Ethiopia/Nubia. Genealogically, it signifies a distinct branch of humanity in God's created order. In prophetic and poetic literature, Seba emerges as a powerful, wealthy, and distant nation, frequently linked with Cush and Egypt, and known for its "men of stature" and merchandise. Theologically, Seba serves as a profound symbol of God's universal sovereignty, illustrating that all nations, even the most formidable and remote, are ultimately subject to His divine plan. Its appearances underscore the global reach of the Messiah's future reign, the immense value God places on His covenant people Israel, and the ultimate ingathering of the nations to acknowledge and worship the one true God.
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