from שׁוּב; apostate, i.e. idolatrous; backsliding, frowardly, turn away (from margin).
Transliteration:shôwbâb
Pronunciation:sho-bawb'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, `{{H7726}}`) is an adjective derived from the root שׁוּב (shuv, `{{H7725}}`), meaning "to turn, return, restore." While the root שׁוּב can convey both positive (e.g., repentance, returning to God) and negative (e.g., turning away, backsliding) senses, שׁוֹבָב exclusively captures the latter. Its core meaning signifies one who is "backsliding," "apostate," or "frowardly" turned away from a proper path or relationship. The base definition explicitly links it to "idolatrous," indicating that this turning away is primarily spiritual and involves a rejection of the one true God for other deities or ways. It describes a persistent, habitual, and often willful state of spiritual rebellion, rather than a momentary lapse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, `{{H7726}}`) is found almost exclusively in the prophetic book of Jeremiah, with one notable instance in [[Jeremiah 49:4]] referring to Ammon. Its primary application is to the nations of Israel and Judah, describing their persistent unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh.
In [[Jeremiah 3:6-14]], the prophet laments Israel's "faithless" (often translated as "backsliding" or "apostate") behavior, contrasting it with Judah's equally treacherous conduct. Here, שׁוֹבָבָה יִשְׂרָאֵל ("backsliding Israel," [[Jeremiah 3:12]]) and בָּנִים שׁוֹבָבִים ("backsliding children," [[Jeremiah 3:14]]) are direct addresses to the nation, emphasizing their departure from God's ways into idolatry and spiritual harlotry. This context highlights the national scope of their apostasy.
Further, in [[Jeremiah 3:22]], God's poignant call, "Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness," uses שׁוֹבָבִים to describe the recipients of this divine invitation. This demonstrates that even in their state of persistent turning away, God's mercy extends an offer of restoration.
The term also appears in [[Jeremiah 31:22]], where Judah is called בַּת שׁוֹבָבָה ("backsliding daughter"), reflecting the continued theme of Judah's spiritual infidelity even after Israel's exile. This instance is followed by a promise of new covenant hope, underscoring God's ultimate redemptive purpose despite His people's שׁוֹבָב tendencies.
The consistent usage in Jeremiah paints a picture of a people who, despite historical warnings and divine instruction, repeatedly and stubbornly turned their backs on God, leading to severe consequences, yet always remaining within the scope of His potential redemptive work.
### Related Words & Concepts
שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, `{{H7726}}`) is intimately connected to its root, שׁוּב (shuv, `{{H7725}}`), which signifies "to turn" or "to return." The contrast is crucial: while שׁוּב can denote repentance (a positive turning *back* to God), שׁוֹבָב specifically means a negative turning *away* from God.
Another closely related term is the noun מְשׁוּבָה (mᵉshûbâ, `{{H4878}}`), which means "backsliding" or "apostasy." This noun often appears in parallel or in similar contexts to שׁוֹבָב, reinforcing the concept of a persistent turning away from God (e.g., מְשׁוּבָה נִצַּחַת "perpetual backsliding" in [[Jeremiah 8:5]]).
The semantic field of שׁוֹבָב also overlaps with concepts such as:
* **Idolatry:** The base definition explicitly connects שׁוֹבָב to idolatry, which is the primary manifestation of Israel's turning away from Yahweh.
* **Spiritual Adultery/Harlotry:** Prophets like Jeremiah frequently employ the metaphor of unfaithful marriage to describe Israel's covenant breaking, equating their שׁוֹבָב behavior with spiritual harlotry (e.g., [[Jeremiah 3:6-9]]).
* **Rebellion and Stubbornness:** Other Hebrew terms like מָרָה (marah, `{{H4784}}`, "to be rebellious") or סָרַר (sarar, `{{H5637}}`, "to be stubborn/rebellious") share a conceptual affinity, describing the defiant nature inherent in backsliding.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, `{{H7726}}`) is profound, especially within the context of the Old Testament covenant.
1. **Covenant Unfaithfulness:** שׁוֹבָב serves as a powerful descriptor of Israel's repeated and profound breach of the covenant. It highlights the sorrow and disappointment of God over His chosen people's persistent failure to remain loyal to Him, despite His unwavering faithfulness.
2. **Divine Patience and Call to Repentance:** Crucially, שׁוֹבָב often appears in conjunction with God's earnest calls for His people to שׁוּב (return/repent). This juxtaposition underscores God's enduring mercy and His longing for reconciliation, even in the face of deep-seated apostasy. The repeated divine plea, "Return, O backsliding Israel" ([[Jeremiah 3:12, 14, 22]]), exemplifies God's steadfast love that pursues His wayward children.
3. **Human Responsibility:** The term implies a deliberate and conscious choice to turn away from God. It emphasizes human accountability for their spiritual condition and their actions, presenting backsliding not as an accidental stumble but as a willful departure from divine truth.
4. **Consequences of Apostasy:** While highlighting God's mercy, the pervasive use of שׁוֹבָב in Jeremiah also implicitly points to the severe consequences of such persistent unfaithfulness, culminating in the judgment of exile. It underscores that while God's invitation to return is constant, prolonged שׁוֹבָב behavior inevitably leads to divine discipline.
### Summary
The Hebrew word שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, `{{H7726}}`), derived from the root שׁוּב (shuv, `{{H7725}}` "to turn"), precisely describes a state of persistent and willful "backsliding" or "apostasy." It signifies a deliberate turning away from God, particularly through idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Predominantly found in the book of Jeremiah, שׁוֹבָב characterizes Israel and Judah's habitual rebellion against Yahweh, despite His repeated calls for their return. Its usage underscores the gravity of their spiritual infidelity and the profound disappointment it caused God. Yet, significantly, שׁוֹבָב is often juxtaposed with divine invitations to שׁוּב (return), revealing God's enduring patience, His unwavering love, and His longing for His wayward people to repent and be restored to Him. The term thus encapsulates both the tragic reality of human rebellion and the boundless mercy of the divine.
TRV