from סָבַב; a (providential) turn (of affairs); cause.
Transliteration:çibbâh
Pronunciation:sib-baw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H5438}}` *çibbâh* (סִבָּה) is derived from the verb `{{H5437}}` *sâbab*, meaning "to turn, go about, surround." This etymological root is crucial for understanding its core meaning: a "turn of affairs" or a "circumstance" that leads to a particular outcome. The base definition provided, "a (providential) turn (of affairs); cause," highlights a significant nuance: the word often implies not merely a random event or a natural consequence, but a divinely orchestrated or purposeful turn of events. It speaks to the underlying reason or occasion for a situation, often with an implicit or explicit connection to divine agency. Its semantic range is narrow, appearing only three times in the Hebrew Bible, yet each instance powerfully conveys this sense of an unfolding, often divinely guided, sequence of events.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The limited occurrences of `{{H5438}}` *çibbâh* provide focused insight into its meaning:
1. **[[1 Kings 12:15]] and [[2 Chronicles 10:15]]**: These parallel accounts describe the division of the kingdom following Solomon's death. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, rejects the counsel of the elders and follows the harsh advice of the young men, leading to the secession of ten tribes. Both passages explicitly state: "So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a *çibbâh* from the LORD that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." Here, *çibbâh* unequivocally denotes a "providential turn of affairs" or "divine arrangement." It underscores God's sovereign control over human decisions and historical events, fulfilling His prophetic word even through the seemingly errant choices of a king. The human action (Rehoboam's folly) is presented as the means by which God's predetermined will (the division of the kingdom) is brought to pass.
2. **[[2 Kings 5:7]]**: In the narrative of Naaman's leprosy, the King of Israel receives a letter from the King of Aram requesting the healing of Naaman. The King of Israel tears his clothes in distress, exclaiming, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But consider and see how he is seeking a *çibbâh* against me!" Here, *çibbâh* is translated as "occasion" or "pretext" or "cause." The King of Israel perceives the request as a deliberate setup, a "turn of affairs" designed to provoke a conflict or find a reason for war. While not explicitly stating divine involvement, the context of a miraculous healing about to unfold through Elisha suggests an underlying divine hand in the unfolding drama, even if the human perception is one of hostile intent. The word still conveys the idea of a specific reason or circumstance that precipitates a significant event.
Across these occurrences, `{{H5438}}` consistently points to the underlying reason or orchestration behind a significant event, whether explicitly divine (as in Kings/Chronicles) or implicitly so within a divinely guided narrative (as in 2 Kings).
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to `{{H5438}}` *çibbâh* is its verbal root, `{{H5437}}` *sâbab* (סָבַב). This verb's core meaning of "to turn around, go about, surround" provides the conceptual foundation for *çibbâh* as a "turn" or "course" of events. The noun captures the *result* or *effect* of such a turning.
Other related concepts include:
* **Divine Providence:** The concept of God's active involvement in the world, guiding and directing events towards His ultimate purpose. Words like `{{H6098}}` *etsah* (עֵצָה, "counsel, purpose") or `{{H2623}}` *ḥesed* (חֶסֶד, "loyal love, steadfast love," often seen in God's covenant faithfulness that guides history) resonate with the providential aspect of *çibbâh*.
* **Sovereignty:** God's supreme authority and control over all creation and history. The use of *çibbâh* in [[1 Kings 12:15]] and [[2 Chronicles 10:15]] particularly highlights God's sovereign hand in orchestrating human affairs.
* **Cause/Reason:** While *çibbâh* can simply mean "cause" or "reason," other Hebrew words like `{{H1697}}` *dabar* (דָּבָר, "word, matter, thing, cause") or `{{H3975}}` *ma'aseh* (מַעֲשֶׂה, "deed, work, act") can also convey aspects of causation, but *çibbâh* carries the specific nuance of a "turn of affairs" or an "occasion."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5438}}` *çibbâh* lies primarily in its powerful assertion of divine sovereignty and providence. In its most explicit usage ([[1 Kings 12:15]], [[2 Chronicles 10:15]]), it serves as a profound theological statement: even when human beings make choices that appear to be their own, God can orchestrate those choices to fulfill His predetermined plans. Rehoboam's foolish decision, which led to the fracturing of the kingdom, was not outside of God's control; rather, it was a "turn of affairs from the LORD." This does not negate human responsibility but rather affirms God's overarching ability to work through and even within human freedom and folly to achieve His righteous purposes.
This word reassures believers that God is actively involved in history, guiding and directing events, even those that seem chaotic or adverse. It speaks to the mystery of God's ways, where seemingly negative outcomes can be part of His larger, redemptive design. For the biblical authors, *çibbâh* served as a reminder that behind the visible machinations of human politics and power, there is an invisible, divine hand at work, ensuring the fulfillment of God's promises and the progression of His covenant plan. It transforms seemingly random events into purposeful steps in God's unfolding narrative.
### Summary
{{H5438}}` *çibbâh* (סִבָּה) is a rare but potent Hebrew noun, meaning a "providential turn of affairs" or a "divinely orchestrated cause." Derived from the verb "to turn," it describes the underlying reason or occasion for a significant event. Its most striking usage in [[1 Kings 12:15]] and [[2 Chronicles 10:15]] explicitly attributes the division of the kingdom to a *çibbâh* from the LORD, highlighting God's sovereign control over human actions and historical outcomes. In [[2 Kings 5:7]], it refers to a perceived "pretext" or "cause" for conflict, still denoting the reason behind a developing situation. Theologically, *çibbâh* profoundly underscores God's active providence and sovereignty, assuring that even amidst human decisions and historical complexities, God remains the ultimate orchestrator, working all things according to His wise and holy purpose.
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