English · KJV
H7675

שֶׁבֶת

shebeth /sheh'-beth/ Ask about this word
Rootinfinitive of יָשַׁב
Meaningproperly, session; but used also concretely, an abode or locality
KJV usageplace, seat. Compare יֹשֵׁב בַּשֶּׁבֶת.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shebeth — 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 Hebrew word shebeth, represented by H7675, is derived from the infinitive of H3427 yâshab ("to sit down"). It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. Its core meaning refers to a session, but it is used concretely to mean an abode, locality, place, or seat.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H7675 denotes a physical location of sitting, often implying a position of status or purpose. It is used to describe the "place of the seat" on Solomon's elaborate throne 1 Kings 10:19. It also identifies a position of honor for one of David's mighty men, "The Tachmonite that sat in the seat" 2 Samuel 23:8. The term can also carry a negative connotation, as when the prophet Amos warns against causing "the seat of violence to come near" Amos 6:3. In a more general sense, it can simply refer to a locality, as in being burned "in the same place" 2 Samuel 23:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H7675:

  • H3427 yâshab (to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain): As the root verb, it provides the foundational action from which shebeth derives its meaning of a place for sitting or dwelling. It is used to describe dwelling in a land Joshua 24:15 or sitting before the Lord 2 Samuel 7:18.
  • H3429 Yôshêb bash-Shebeth (sitting in the seat): This specific title, used for one of David's mighty men, directly incorporates shebeth to denote a position of honor and authority 2 Samuel 23:8.
  • H3678 kiççêʼ (a throne; seat, stool, throne): This word is often used for royal seats of power and appears alongside shebeth in the description of Solomon's throne, emphasizing its regal context 1 Kings 10:19.
  • H4725 mâqôwm (a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality... place, room, space): Used in conjunction with shebeth to specify the "place of the seat" 1 Kings 10:19, this term offers a more general sense of locality.

Theological Significance

The word H7675, while infrequent, carries conceptual weight by linking a physical location to the character of its occupant.

  • The Seat of Authority: A seat represents more than furniture; it is a symbol of power and honor. This is seen in its association with Solomon's throne 1 Kings 10:19 and the distinguished position of David's mighty man 2 Samuel 23:8.
  • The Seat of Character: The nature of the one who sits defines the seat. In Amos, the "seat of violence" is established by those who are violent Amos 6:3. The seat becomes a physical representation of the moral or immoral governance exercised from it.
  • A Designated Location of Action: In a more concrete sense, shebeth is used to mark the specific place where a definitive event occurs, such as the destruction of thorny men by fire 2 Samuel 23:7.

Summary

In summary, H7675 shebeth conveys a meaning that extends beyond a simple place to sit. It signifies a seat of authority, a locality defined by the character of those who occupy it, and a specific place of decisive action. From the honorable seat of a warrior to the corrupt seat of violence, the word illustrates how a physical place is intrinsically linked to the power and morality exercised within it.

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 a noun and a verb across 8 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.

  • שִׁבְתָּ
  • שָּׁבֶת
  • שֶׁבֶת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3427 יָשַׁב a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remai H3429 יֹשֵׁב בַּשֶּׁבֶת from the active participle of יָשַׁב and שֶׁבֶת, with a preposition and the article interposed; sitting in the seat; Jos H3678 כִּסֵּא or כִּסֵּה; from כָּסָה; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied); seat, stool, throne. H4725 מָקוֹם or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a local

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 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 2 Samuel (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

2
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
Amos

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.