Word Study for H7655 (שִׁבְעָה)

shibʻâh /shib-aw'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to שֶׁבַע

Meaning(seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number)

KJV usageseven (times).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shibʻâh — 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 Aramaic word shibʻâh, represented by H7655, means seven or seven times. According to its base definition, it can denote the "sacred full one," a week, or an indefinite number. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, primarily in contexts of appointed time and intensity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7655 is used to define specific quantities and durations. When Nebuchadnezzar was enraged at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he commanded that the furnace be heated "one seven times more" than usual Daniel 3:19, using the number to express extreme intensity. The term is most frequently associated with the period of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, where it is prophesied four times that "seven times" would pass over him until he acknowledged God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:16, Daniel 4:23, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32). The word also appears in a governmental context, describing the king's "seven counsellors" who sent Ezra to Jerusalem Ezra 7:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the use of H7655:

H5732 ʻiddân (time): This word is consistently paired with H7655 to signify a set duration. In the prophecies concerning Nebuchadnezzar, the phrase "seven times" (Daniel 4:16, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32) uses H5732 to establish a specific period of divine judgment.
H2298 chad (one): This term for one or first is used directly alongside H7655 to emphasize the magnitude of Nebuchadnezzar's command to heat the furnace "one seven times more" Daniel 3:19. It establishes a single, intensified measure.

Theological Significance

The symbolic weight of H7655 is evident in its application.

A Measure of Divine Judgment: The number is used repeatedly to mark the full, preordained length of Nebuchadnezzar's madness. The passing of "seven times" represents the complete duration required for him to be humbled before the most High (Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32).
Completeness and Intensity: The base definition of H7655 as the "sacred full one" is reflected in its usage. Heating a furnace seven times more suggests heating it to its maximum, or a complete, intensity Daniel 3:19.
Fullness in Counsel: The mention of "seven counsellors" of the king points to a complete advisory body, reflecting a structure of fullness in a royal court Ezra 7:14.

Summary

In summary, H7655 carries a meaning beyond its simple numerical value. It consistently signifies a concept of fullness or completeness. Whether marking the full duration of a divine judgment, the complete intensity of a furnace's heat, or the full roster of a king's advisors, shibʻâh functions within the Aramaic portions of Scripture to denote a specific and significant measure.

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 an adjective across 7 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.

שִׁבְעָה
שִׁבְעָה
שִׁבְעַת

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 6 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (5 verses); never once in the other 37.

Ezra

Daniel

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.