### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **sôbaʻ**, represented by `{{H7648}}`, is a term for **satisfaction**. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends from the literal satisfaction of food to the figurative fulfillment of joy, describing a state of being completely full or satisfied.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{H7648}}` is frequently used to describe a state of physical abundance that is provided or promised by God. As a condition of covenant obedience, Israel is promised they will "eat your bread to the **full**" [[Leviticus 26:5]] and "eat your **fill**" from the fruit of the land [[Leviticus 25:19]]. This contrasts sharply with the memory of the Israelites in the wilderness, who longed for the time they "did eat bread to the **full**" in Egypt, fearing death from hunger [[Exodus 16:3]]. The concept is also applied figuratively to spiritual realities. In God's presence, there is "**fulness** of joy" [[Psalms 16:11]], and the righteous person is one who "eateth to the **satisfying** of his soul" [[Proverbs 13:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the concept of satisfaction by providing context and contrast:
* `{{H398}}` **ʼâkal** (to eat): This primitive root is the direct action that leads to physical satisfaction. It is used alongside `{{H7648}}` in contexts of God's provision, such as when Israel ate bread to the full [[Exodus 16:3]] or when the righteous eat the fruit of their doings [[Isaiah 3:10]].
* `{{H7458}}` **râʻâb** (hunger): As the direct opposite of satisfaction, this term highlights what is at stake. The Israelites feared dying from **hunger** in the wilderness [[Exodus 16:3]], and God later warns of a spiritual **famine** that is not of bread but of hearing His words [[Amos 8:11]].
* `{{H8057}}` **simchâh** (joy): This word demonstrates the figurative dimension of `{{H7648}}`. The ultimate satisfaction is described as a "fulness of **joy**" found only in God's presence [[Psalms 16:11]], linking satisfaction not just to the body but to the spirit.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7648}}` is tied to God's character as provider and the nature of true fulfillment.
* **A Sign of Covenant Blessing:** Physical satisfaction is presented as a tangible reward for obedience. God promises that if His people follow His statutes, the land will be so productive they will "eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety" [[Leviticus 25:19]]. This makes fullness a marker of a right relationship with God.
* **A Measure of Righteousness:** The word distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked. While the "righteous eateth to the **satisfying** of his soul," the wicked "shall want" [[Proverbs 13:25]]. This shows that true, soul-deep satisfaction is an outcome of a righteous life, not merely material accumulation.
* **Spiritual Fulfillment in God:** The concept culminates in a non-physical reality. The psalmist declares that the ultimate "**fulness**" is one "of joy" found in God's presence [[Psalms 16:11]]. This elevates the meaning from temporary physical satiation to eternal spiritual contentment in relationship with God.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7648}}` moves beyond the simple definition of being full. It is a rich biblical concept that illustrates the link between obedience and divine provision, righteousness and soul-deep contentment. From the physical promise of eating to the full in a blessed land to the ultimate spiritual reality of finding a fulness of joy in God's presence, **sôbaʻ** defines a state of complete well-being that originates from and is sustained by God alone.
TRV