### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shâbâts**, represented by `{{H7661}}`, refers to a state of **entanglement, perplexity, or anguish**. Based on a root meaning entanglement, this word conveys a feeling of being caught or trapped in distress. It is a rare term, appearing only **1 time** in a single verse, which gives its usage a specific and powerful weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H7661}}` is found in [[2 Samuel 1:9]], in a moment of extreme desperation. A man, finding himself in a dire situation, pleads to be killed, saying, "...for **anguish** is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me." In this context, **shâbâts** is not merely sadness but a consuming state of suffering that has seized him. The word illustrates a torment so profound that ending one's life is presented as the only escape from the entangling perplexity.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its biblical context help clarify the severe nature of `{{H7661}}`:
* `{{H270}}` **ʼâchaz** (to seize): The verse states that anguish "is come upon" or has seized the man. This verb is used elsewhere to describe being taken in a snare [[Ecclesiastes 9:12]] or being surprised by fear [[Isaiah 33:14]], reinforcing the idea that **shâbâts** is an overwhelming force that takes hold of a person.
* `{{H4191}}` **mûwth** (to die; to kill): The presence of **shâbâts** directly leads to a plea to be slain. This demonstrates the intensity of the experience, framing it as a condition worse than death itself, a stark contrast to God's desire for His people to turn from wickedness and live [[Ezekiel 33:11]].
* `{{H5315}}` **nephesh** (life, soul, a breathing creature): The man's rationale for wanting death is that his **life** is still whole within him, prolonging the anguish. This connects **shâbâts** to the very core of one's being, a suffering of the soul from which there is no physical relief, unlike the "rest for your souls" promised to those who follow God's way [[Jeremiah 6:16]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7661}}`, though based on one verse, is significant in its depiction of human suffering.
* **The Experience of Entanglement:** The word’s root meaning highlights a key aspect of profound suffering—the feeling of being trapped or entangled with no clear path out. This captures the mental and spiritual perplexity that often accompanies physical or emotional pain.
* **The Limits of Human Endurance:** The cry for death in [[2 Samuel 1:9]] illustrates a moment where human suffering reaches its breaking point. **Shâbâts** describes the state that pushes a person to this limit, where the continuation of life (`{{H5315}}`) is perceived only as an extension of torment.
* **A State of Seizure:** The anguish is not a passive feeling but an active force that "is come upon" (`{{H270}}`) the individual. This portrays a state where a person feels they have lost control, having been seized by a distress that dictates their perception and desires.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7661}}` is a highly specific and potent term for anguish. Though used only once, **shâbâts** provides a powerful and raw depiction of suffering. It defines a state of being so entangled in perplexity and torment that it overwhelms the will to live. Its singular use in scripture serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human despair and the feeling of being utterly seized by distress.
TRV