the same as שֶׁבַע; seven; Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites; Sheba.
Transliteration:shebaʻ
Pronunciation:sheh'-bah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ), designated H7652, primarily signifies the cardinal number "seven." Its core meaning extends beyond mere enumeration to embody concepts of completeness, perfection, and divine order within the biblical worldview. This numerical significance is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern context, where seven often marked cycles, totality, or sacred intervals.
Beyond its numerical function, H7652 also serves as a proper noun, "Sheba," referring to:
1. A town in the territory of Simeon ([[Joshua 19:2]]).
2. An individual, a Gadite ([[1 Chronicles 5:13]]).
3. A Benjamite rebel against David ([[2 Samuel 20:1-22]]).
The close relationship between H7652 and H7651 (also שֶׁבַע, "seven") indicates their shared etymological and semantic foundation. The proper noun usage of H7652 likely stems from or alludes to the numerical significance of seven, perhaps implying completeness or a particular count associated with the place or person.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The number "seven" (שֶׁבַע) pervades the Hebrew Bible, appearing in foundational narratives, legal codes, and prophetic visions, consistently highlighting its symbolic weight:
* **Creation and Sabbath:** The most fundamental appearance is in the creation account, where God completes His work in six days and rests on the seventh ([[Genesis 1:1-2:3]]), establishing the Sabbath as a perpetual sign of divine rest and completion. This sets a pattern for sacred time and cycles.
* **Covenant and Flood:** Noah is commanded to take seven pairs of clean animals into the ark, and the flood commences seven days after his entry ([[Genesis 7:2-4]]). This signifies a period of divine preparation and the comprehensive nature of judgment and preservation.
* **Feasts and Rituals:** The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts seven days ([[Exodus 12:15]]), and numerous purification rituals involve a sevenfold action, such as Naaman dipping seven times in the Jordan ([[2 Kings 5:10-14]]) or the sprinkling of blood seven times ([[Leviticus 4:6]]). These instances underscore completeness, purification, and consecration.
* **Military and Prophetic Actions:** The Israelites march around Jericho for seven days, with seven priests blowing seven trumpets, culminating in seven circuits on the seventh day ([[Joshua 6:3-4]]). This meticulous adherence to the number seven emphasizes divine strategy and the completeness of God's victory. Prophetic visions, such as Daniel's "seventy weeks" (which involves `{{H7655}}`, derived from H7652), often utilize seven or its multiples to denote divinely appointed periods of time for the fulfillment of prophecy.
As a proper noun, "Sheba" (שֶׁבַע, H7652) also appears:
* In [[Joshua 19:2]], Sheba is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Simeon, indicating its existence as a geographical location.
* In [[1 Chronicles 5:13]], Sheba is mentioned as a chief of a Gadite family, a personal name within a genealogy.
* Most notably, in [[2 Samuel 20:1-22]], Sheba son of Bichri leads a rebellion against King David. His story highlights the disruptive potential of human ambition, even when associated with a name symbolizing completeness. His ultimate defeat underscores the re-establishment of divine order.
### Related Words & Concepts
The significance of H7652 is amplified when examined alongside related Hebrew terms:
* **`{{H7651}}` (שֶׁבַע - shebaʻ):** This is essentially the same word, primarily denoting the number "seven." H7652 specifically notes its additional usage as a proper noun.
* **`{{H7650}}` (שָׁבַע - shabaʻ):** "To swear, take an oath." This connection is profoundly significant. The Hebrew word for "oath" is etymologically linked to "seven." This is exemplified in the naming of Beer-sheba ("well of the oath" or "well of seven"), where Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant ([[Genesis 21:28-31]]). An oath often involved seven witnesses or sevenfold actions, signifying a complete and binding agreement. This linkage suggests that "seven" represents the full and unbreakable nature of a promise or covenant.
* **`{{H7654}}` (שִׁבְעָה - shivʻah):** The feminine form of "seven."
* **`{{H7655}}` (שִׁבְעִים - shivʻiym):** "Seventy," a multiple of seven, often signifying a complete or divinely appointed period (e.g., the seventy years of Babylonian captivity, [[Jeremiah 29:10]]).
* **`{{H7647}}` (שָׁבַע - shaba'):** "To satisfy, be full." While not directly etymologically linked by all scholars, the semantic overlap with "completeness" and "abundance" is notable.
Concepts inherently tied to H7652 include:
* **Completeness and Perfection:** The number seven frequently marks a finished work or a state of perfection.
* **Covenant and Promise:** Through its link to "oath," seven underscores the binding and complete nature of divine covenants.
* **Divine Order and Cycles:** The recurring pattern of seven in creation, feasts, and judgments points to God's meticulous and sovereign ordering of time and events.
* **Purification and Consecration:** Rituals involving seven signify a complete cleansing or setting apart for sacred purposes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) is immense, permeating the very fabric of biblical revelation:
* **God's Perfect Creation and Rest:** The seven-day creation week establishes a divine pattern for time, work, and rest, culminating in the sanctification of the seventh day. This foundational narrative underscores God's perfect and complete work.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Order:** The consistent appearance of seven in biblical narratives, laws, and prophecies is not coincidental but reflects God's meticulous planning and execution of His will. It signifies a divinely established order that governs both the cosmos and human history.
* **Covenant Fidelity and Completeness:** The strong association of "seven" with "oath" (שָׁבַע, `{{H7650}}`) imbues the number with profound covenantal meaning. God's promises and covenants are not partial or tentative but complete, binding, and utterly reliable. The sevenfold nature of an oath underscores its unbreakability and the full commitment involved.
* **Holiness, Purification, and Atonement:** In cultic contexts, the number seven often signifies a complete process of purification or consecration. The seven sprinklings of blood, for instance, convey a thorough cleansing and the full efficacy of atonement. This points to the absolute holiness required in approaching God.
* **Fullness of Time and Judgment:** In prophetic literature, seven often marks the fullness of a period leading to a climactic event, whether it be judgment or the culmination of divine plans. While many such references are in the New Testament (e.g., in Revelation, using `{{G2033}}`), the conceptual roots are firmly in the Hebrew tradition, where seven signifies a complete measure of time or a decisive moment.
* **Sheba as a Proper Noun:** The specific instances of "Sheba" as a place or person, while not always directly symbolic of "seven," add layers of narrative complexity. The rebellion of Sheba son of Bichri ([[2 Samuel 20]]) ironically highlights human disorder against the backdrop of a name associated with divine completeness, underscoring the ongoing tension between human rebellion and God's ultimate sovereignty.
### Summary
The Hebrew word שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) is far more than a simple numeral; it is a profound theological symbol. Primarily meaning "seven," it consistently denotes completeness, perfection, and divine order throughout the Hebrew Bible, from the creation account to the intricacies of Israelite law and prophecy. Its deep etymological connection to "oath" (שָׁבַע, `{{H7650}}`) further imbues it with the meaning of covenantal fidelity and unbreakable promise. Whether marking the sacred cycle of the Sabbath, the duration of feasts, the requirements of purification rituals, or the unfolding of divine judgments, "seven" points to God's meticulous design, His sovereign control, and the full and perfect nature of His works and words. As a proper noun, "Sheba," it also anchors these concepts in specific geographical and historical contexts, even when highlighting human rebellion against the divine order. The pervasive presence and consistent theological weight of H7652 underscore its enduring significance in biblical revelation as a number of divine fullness and sacred completion.
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