(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁבַץ; to entangle, i.e. perplex; be astonished.
Transliteration:shᵉbash
Pronunciation:sheb-ash'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term שְׁבַשׁ (shᵉbash, `{{H7672}}`) carries a core semantic range rooted in the concept of "entanglement." Its base definition suggests a correspondence to the Hebrew word שָׁבַץ (shabats, `{{H7660}}`), which means "to interweave," "to embroider," or "to set jewels." This connection illuminates the progression of meaning for שְׁבַשׁ: from the literal idea of something being intricately interwoven or entangled, it extends metaphorically to the state of being "perplexed" or "confused." When one is entangled, their thoughts or circumstances become difficult to unravel. This state of profound mental or emotional confusion can then lead to "astonishment" or "dismay," a reaction to something so perplexing or overwhelming that it causes a loss of composure or understanding. Thus, שְׁבַשׁ encompasses a spectrum from active "stirring up" or "causing trouble" (entanglement applied externally) to passive "being troubled" or "astonished" (entanglement applied internally).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word שְׁבַשׁ (shᵉbash, `{{H7672}}`) appears in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its limited but significant occurrences provide crucial insight into its usage:
* **Ezra 4:15**: Here, the word is used in a report from Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe to King Artaxerxes concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They assert, "that this city has been a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that rebellion was stirred up (שְׁבַשׁ) within it of old." In this context, שְׁבַשׁ denotes the active causation of trouble or sedition. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are accused of "entangling" or "perplexing" the affairs of the kingdom by inciting rebellion, thereby causing disruption and harm. This usage highlights the active, negative connotation of creating confusion or disorder.
* **Daniel 5:9**: This occurrence describes King Belshazzar's reaction to the mysterious writing on the wall during his feast. The text states, "Then was King Belshazzar greatly troubled (שְׁבַשׁ), and his countenance changed in him, and his lords were astonished." Here, שְׁבַשׁ describes an internal state of being. Belshazzar is "perplexed" or "dismayed" by the incomprehensible divine message. His astonishment is not merely surprise but a profound disquiet and confusion that alters his very appearance. This usage emphasizes the passive reception of an overwhelming, perplexing event, leading to a state of profound mental and emotional disturbance.
These two contexts demonstrate the dual nature of שְׁבַשׁ: it can describe both the act of causing confusion (Ezra) and the state of being confused or astonished (Daniel).
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of שְׁבַשׁ (shᵉbash, `{{H7672}}`) is enriched by its explicit connection to the Hebrew שָׁבַץ (shabats, `{{H7660}}`), meaning "to interweave" or "to set (gems)." This root connection suggests that the idea of "entanglement" is central, whether literally or metaphorically.
Other related concepts and words in Hebrew and Aramaic that express similar states of confusion, fear, or astonishment include:
* **For "Perplexed/Troubled":**
* בָּהַל (bahal, `{{H926}}`): To be terrified, dismayed, or to hasten in confusion. Often implies a sudden, overwhelming fear or urgency.
* חָרַד (charad, `{{H2729}}`): To tremble, be anxious, or be afraid. Denotes a physical and emotional reaction to fear.
* פָּחַד (pachad, `{{H6342}}`): To dread, fear, or be in terror.
* **For "Astonished/Dismayed":**
* שָׁמֵם (shamem, `{{H8074}}`): To be desolate, appalled, or astonished. Often conveys a sense of shock and desolation.
* תָּמַהּ (tamah, `{{H8194}}`): To wonder, be astonished, or be amazed. Can be positive or negative, but often implies a sense of the inexplicable.
* תָּמַהּ (tamah, `{{H8539}}` - Aramaic): Similar to its Hebrew counterpart, meaning to wonder or be astonished.
The distinctiveness of שְׁבַשׁ lies in its nuance of "entanglement" leading to the perplexity or astonishment, suggesting a situation that is difficult to untangle or comprehend.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of שְׁבַשׁ (shᵉbash, `{{H7672}}`) offer significant theological insights. In Ezra 4:15, the word describes human opposition to God's redemptive purposes. The "stirring up of rebellion" by those against the rebuilding of Jerusalem represents active resistance to divine will. This highlights the reality of human rebellion and the confusion it seeks to sow, which ultimately impedes God's work among His people. It underscores the spiritual battle where forces of chaos and disorder (entanglement) seek to undermine divine order and restoration.
In Daniel 5:9, Belshazzar's profound perplexity and astonishment in the face of the divine writing on the wall demonstrate the overwhelming power and incomprehensibility of God's judgment and revelation. The king's inability to understand the message, despite its clear presence, signifies human inadequacy and the limitations of worldly wisdom when confronted by divine truth. His "troubled" state is a direct consequence of encountering a reality beyond his control or comprehension, a moment where human pride and self-sufficiency are utterly confounded by divine sovereignty. This event serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute authority and His capacity to bring clarity out of human confusion, or to inflict confusion upon those who defy Him. The word thus speaks to the unsettling effect of divine encounter on the unrighteous, revealing their vulnerability and the futility of their resistance.
### Summary
שְׁבַשׁ (shᵉbash, `{{H7672}}`) is an Aramaic term meaning "to entangle," which extends to "perplex" and "astonish." Its etymological root in "interweaving" suggests that the core idea is a state of being intricately confused or causing such confusion. In Ezra 4:15, it describes the active "stirring up" of rebellion, highlighting human agency in creating disorder and opposing divine purposes. In Daniel 5:9, it portrays King Belshazzar's profound "perplexity" and "astonishment" when confronted by divine judgment, underscoring the overwhelming nature of God's revelation and the human inability to comprehend or withstand it without divine aid. The word thus serves to illustrate both the active sowing of chaos by those who resist God and the passive, disorienting impact of divine encounter upon the unrighteous, revealing the stark contrast between human confusion and divine clarity and sovereignty.
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