סָבַל

çâbal /saw-bal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
KJV usagebear, be a burden, carry, strong to labour.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word çâbal, represented by H5445, is a primitive root meaning to carry or be burdensome. It appears 9 times in 8 verses and is used both literally and figuratively to describe bearing a load, being strong for labor, or being weighed down. Its usage ranges from the physical toil of man and beast to the profound spiritual act of carrying sorrows and iniquities.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

Biblically, H5445 is applied in several distinct contexts. In a literal sense, it describes the act of submitting to a physical load, as when Issachar "bowed his shoulder to bear" and became a servant Genesis 49:15. It is also used to depict idols that are lifeless and must be carried by their worshippers Isaiah 46:7. The word takes on a deeply theological meaning when applied to the suffering servant, who carried our sorrows Isaiah 53:4 and will bear their iniquities Isaiah 53:11. In a contrasting divine promise, God declares He will carry His people through their entire lives Isaiah 46:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context and nature of the burdens being borne:

  • H5375 nâsâʼ (to lift, bear, carry, forgive): This word is used in parallel with çâbal and expands on the idea of bearing. It is used for God's promise to bear His people Isaiah 46:4 and the servant who has borne our griefs Isaiah 53:4.
  • H5771 ʻâvôn (iniquity, sin): This term frequently defines the spiritual burden being carried. The people of Lamentations have borne the iniquities of their fathers Lamentations 5:7, and the righteous servant shall bear their iniquities Isaiah 53:11.
  • H4341 makʼôb (grief, pain, sorrow): This word describes the emotional and spiritual weight carried by the servant in Isaiah, who carried our sorrows Isaiah 53:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5445 is significant, highlighting key scriptural themes.

  • Divine Sustenance: God's promise to carry Israel even to old age H2209 and hoar hairs H7872 establishes His role as a faithful, lifelong bearer of His people, culminating in His promise to deliver H4422 them Isaiah 46:4. This stands in stark contrast to idols that must themselves be carried Isaiah 46:7.
  • Vicarious Atonement: The concept is powerfully illustrated in Isaiah's prophecy, where the servant carries the sorrows H4341 and griefs H2483 of others Isaiah 53:4 and ultimately shall bear their iniquities H5771 Isaiah 53:11.
  • Bearing Consequences: The word is also used to describe the consequences of sin and human action. The people in exile declare, "we have borne their iniquities" Lamentations 5:7, showing the transfer of consequences across generations. Similarly, submitting to bear a load is linked to servitude Genesis 49:15.

Summary

In summary, H5445 conveys the fundamental concept of bearing a heavy load. This ranges from the literal, such as oxen that are strong to labour Psalms 144:14, to the deeply figurative, like a grasshopper becoming a burden in old age Ecclesiastes 12:5. Theologically, it distinguishes between the living God who carries His people Isaiah 46:4 and the impotent idols that must be carried Isaiah 46:7. Ultimately, çâbal provides the framework for understanding the substitutionary work of the servant who bears the iniquities of many Isaiah 53:11.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Hithpael Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Pual Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (4 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Psalms
1
Ecclesiastes
4
Isaiah
1
Lamentations

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