English · KJV
H7639

שְׂבָכָה

sᵉbâkâh /seb-aw-kaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine of שָׂבָךְ
Meaninga net-work, i.e. (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to apillar
KJV usagechecker, lattice, network, snare, wreath(-enwork).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sᵉbâkâh — 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 word sᵉbâkâh, represented by H7639, refers to a net-work, snare, lattice, or wreathen work. It appears 15 times in 12 unique verses. The word carries a dual meaning, most often describing ornate architectural details on pillars but also referring to a literal snare or a latticed opening.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H7639 is overwhelmingly associated with the intricate, decorative metalwork on the pillars of Solomon's temple. It is described as a network, wreathen work, or checker work made of brass that adorned the tops of the pillars, often alongside ornamental pomegranates 1 Kings 7:18. This network was a key feature of the chapiters, or pillar capitals, and its creation and design are meticulously recorded 1 Kings 7:41. The term is also used to describe the lattice in an upper chamber through which King Ahaziah fell 2 Kings 1:2, and in a metaphorical sense, it is the snare upon which the wicked walk Job 18:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of H7639:

  • H3805 kôthereth (the capital of a column): This term is almost always found with sᵉbâkâh, as the network was a decoration for the chapiter on top of a pillar 2 Kings 25:17.
  • H5982 ʻammûwd (a column): The sᵉbâkâh and kôthereth were integral parts of the massive bronze pillars that stood in the temple 1 Kings 7:17.
  • H7416 rimmôwn (a pomegranate): These were used as artificial ornaments alongside the network to decorate the chapiters, with hundreds of pomegranates arranged in rows Jeremiah 52:23.
  • H7568 resheth (a net): This word is used in parallel with sᵉbâkâh to describe a trap, as when one is cast into a net and walks upon a snare Job 18:8.

Theological Significance

The significance of H7639 is demonstrated in several key themes:

  • Divine Craftsmanship: The detailed descriptions of the network highlight the beauty, artistry, and immense value of the objects created for the temple, reflecting the glory of God's house. The work is described as being made of brass and covering the chapiters on the pillars 1 Kings 7:41.
  • Architectural Peril and Metaphorical Snares: The word demonstrates a duality of meaning. A lattice that is part of a building can become a source of physical danger 2 Kings 1:2. In Job, the word is used purely as a metaphor for a snare that entangles the wicked Job 18:8.
  • A Record of Glory and Loss: The wreathen work is not only mentioned when the temple is built but is also carefully inventoried when the temple is plundered by invaders. The record of its removal shows its importance as a national and religious treasure 2 Kings 25:17.

Summary

In summary, sᵉbâkâh H7639 is a term with specific applications. Primarily, it denotes the ornate, latticed metalwork that decorated the great pillars of Solomon's temple, a symbol of magnificent craftsmanship. In a smaller number of cases, it shifts from architectural beauty to concepts of danger and entanglement, whether a literal lattice or a metaphorical snare. The word thus captures both the splendor of sacred construction and the hazards present in the world.

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 noun across 15 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • שְּׂבָכָה
  • שְּׂבָכוֹת
  • שְׂבָכִים

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.

H3805 כֹתֶרֶת feminine active participle of כָּתַר; the capital of a column; chapiter. H5982 עַמּוּד or עַמֻּד; from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar. H7416 רִמּוֹן or רִמֹּן; from רָמַם; a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament); pom H7568 רֶשֶׁת from יָרַשׁ; a net (as catching animals); net(-work).

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

Appears in 12 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings (5 verses); never once in the other 34.

5
1 Kings
2
2 Kings
2
2 Chronicles
1
Job
2
Jeremiah

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.