English · KJV
H7641

שִׁבֹּל

shibbôl /shib-bole/ Ask about this word
Rootor (feminine) שִׁבֹּלֶת · from the same as שֹׁבֶל
Meaninga stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch
KJV usagebranch, channel, ear (of corn), (water-)flood, Shibboleth. Compare סִבֹּלֶת.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shibbôl — 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 shibbôl, represented by H7641, carries several distinct meanings, including ear of grain, a stream or flood, and a branch. It appears 19 times across 16 unique verses. This word's versatility allows it to describe both agricultural abundance and overwhelming natural forces.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the Bible, H7641 is used in various significant contexts. Most notably, it appears repeatedly in the narrative of Pharaoh's dream, where seven good H2896 ears H7641 on a single stalk signify years of plenty, while seven thin H1851 and blasted H7710 ears represent a coming famine Genesis 41:5-7. The word is also used to describe a rushing stream or flood, as when the psalmist feels overwhelmed by deep waters Psalms 69:2. In Zechariah's vision, it refers to two olive branches H7641 that supply golden oil Zechariah 4:12. Famously, it is used as a test word, Shibboleth, to identify and slay the Ephraimites who could not pronounce it correctly Judges 12:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which H7641 is used:

  • H7054 qâmâh (something that rises, i.e. a stalk of grain): This refers to standing corn, often the source of the ears H7641 that a harvestman H7105 gathers Isaiah 17:5.
  • H1277 bârîyʼ (fatted or plump): This term describes the healthy and rank H1277 ears H7641 in Pharaoh's dream, symbolizing prosperity and abundance Genesis 41:5.
  • H2132 zayith (an olive): In Zechariah's vision, H7641 is used to specify olive H2132 branches, connecting the word to a source of blessing and anointing Zechariah 4:12.

Theological Significance

The symbolic weight of H7641 is significant and varied.

  • Symbol of Divine Judgment and Provision: The word represents both sides of God's sovereignty. In Genesis, good H2896 ears H7641 signify years of plenty, while empty H7386 ears foretell a devastating famine H7458 Genesis 41:27. Similarly, as a flood H7641, it can represent overwhelming destruction Psalms 69:2.
  • A Test of Identity: The term's use as Shibboleth in Judges marks it as a stark symbol of division. The ability to pronounce it became a literal matter of life and death, separating friend from foe at the passages of the Jordan Judges 12:6.
  • Conduit of Divine Blessing: In contrast to judgment, the olive branches H7641 in Zechariah's vision act as channels for a continuous flow of golden H2091 oil, symbolizing an unending supply of God's anointing and grace Zechariah 4:12.

Summary

In summary, H7641 is a multifaceted word that shifts from the agricultural field to the torrents of a river. It serves as a powerful symbol for both life-giving abundance, seen in the full H4392 ears of corn Genesis 41:7 and olive branches Zechariah 4:12, and for life-threatening peril, as in the devastating floods Psalms 69:2 and the divisive test of Shibboleth Judges 12:6. Its meaning is deeply tied to context, illustrating divine provision, judgment, and identity throughout the biblical narrative.

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 18 occurrences, inflected in 5 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.

  • שִׁבֳּלִים
  • שִׁבֹּלֶת
  • שִּׁבֹּלֶת
  • שִׁבֲּלֵי
  • שִׁבֹּלֶת

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.

H2896 טוֹב from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, H1851 דַּק from דָּקַק; crushed, i.e. (by implication) small or thin; dwarf, lean(-fleshed), very little thing, small, thin. H7710 שָׁדַף a primitive root; to scorch; blast. H7054 קָמָה feminine of active participle of קוּם; something that rises, i.e. a stalk of grain; (standing) corn, grown up, stalk. H7105 קָצִיר from קָצַר; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, H1277 בָּרִיא from בָּרָא (in the sense of בָּרָה); fatted or plump; fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank.

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 16 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis (8 verses); never once in the other 32.

8
Genesis
1
Judges
1
Ruth
1
Job
2
Psalms
2
Isaiah
1
Zechariah

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.