The Aramaic word shᵉbaṭ, represented by H7625, is the term for a clan or tribe. It appears just 1 time in a single verse in the Bible. As the Aramaic correspondent to the Hebrew שֵׁבֶט, it specifically denotes the major family divisions that constitute the nation of Israel.
The sole biblical use of H7625 occurs during the dedication of the house of God after the return from exile. The passage details the sin offering made on behalf of the entire nation, specifying "twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel" Ezra 6:17. This direct reference establishes the twelve tribes as the foundational measure for this act of national atonement.
Several related words provide essential context for this term's meaning:
- H3479 Yisrâʼêl (Israel): This word identifies the nation whose foundational structure is being referenced, as the offering is made for "all Israel" and according to the number of its tribes Ezra 6:17.
- H4510 minyân (number): This term for an enumeration is used to explicitly link the quantity of the twelve sacrificial goats to the quantity of tribes, appearing in the phrase "according to the number of the tribes" Ezra 6:17.
- H8648 tᵉrêyn (two, twelve): As part of the Aramaic phrase for "twelve," this word helps establish the specific count of the offering that corresponds to the tribes of Israel Ezra 6:17.
- H6236 ʻăsar (ten, twelve): This word for ten is used in combination with H8648 to form the number "twelve," directly tying the sacrifice to the number of tribes Ezra 6:17.
The significance of H7625 is centered on its singular, powerful context.
- National Unity: Its use underscores the concept that the returned exiles represented all of Israel. The offering was not just for those present but for the entire twelve-tribe entity as a unified whole.
- Covenant Representation: The sin offering, measured by the number of tribes, signifies an atonement meant to cover the entire covenant nation as defined from its origins.
- Symbolic Reconstitution: In the pivotal moment of dedicating the new temple, referencing the tribes of Israel reaffirms the nation's historic identity and structure before God Ezra 6:17.
In summary, H7625 is a precise term whose importance lies in its specific context. While appearing only once, its use in Ezra 6:17 is theologically significant, connecting the sacrificial atonement at the new temple directly to the historic and complete twelve-tribe constitution of Israel. It serves as a marker of national identity and unity for the people of God.
TRV