← H6633 H6635 →

צְבָא

𐤑𐤁𐤀

tsᵉbâʼ

H6634 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To wish, desire, or be willing; denotes the act of choosing, desiring, or expressing intention. In Aramaic contexts in the biblical period, it refers to an act of volition or personal will, whether in simple desire or formal consent.

Semantic Range

to wish, to will, to desire, to be willing, to choose, to be pleased, to consent

Root / Etymology

From the root צבא, which in Hebrew means 'to go forth, wage war, serve,' but in this Aramaic derivation (צְבָא), the semantic field shifts to 'desire' or 'will.' Not etymologically related to Aramaic פתרון ('interpretation'), unlike what older glosses may suggest. The root form in the Jewish Babylonian Aramaic is associated with seeking satisfaction or pleasing oneself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel, Ezra) to indicate volition or personal will. Not to be confused with the much more common Hebrew noun צָבָא (horde, army, host), despite identical spelling in unpointed texts; instead, the meaning here reflects a semantic development in Aramaic where the root connotes desire or intention. In post-biblical Aramaic and later Jewish Aramaic, the root continues to mean 'to desire' or 'to will,' influencing legal and liturgical vocabulary. Some English translations render this as 'pleased' or 'willed,' but this can obscure the nuance of personal choice or intention found in many original contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "desire" 5 occurrences

Matches the SILEX range (wish, will, be willing, choose, consent) while sounding natural and biblically appropriate. ‘Desire’ covers both simple wishing and volitional intent—the primary senses attested—so it provides a consistent, idiomatic rendering for all forms of H6634.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"wished" (3x) "according to his will" (1x) "killed" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to פִּתְרוֹן in the figurative sense of summoning one's wishes; to please; will, would.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

צבא (ṣ-b-ʾ) — to desire, to will, to choose, to be willing

Root צבא to desire, to will, to choose, to be willing
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6633 צָבָא the one mobilizing for service
H6635 צָבָא in the organized host
H6640 צְבוּ determined purpose
H6648 צֶבַע host of
H6717 צִיבָא to Stationed-One

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6634-01 צָבֵ֜א tsave AVqrmsa wanting willing one he wished 4
H6634-04 יִצְבֵּא֙ yitsebe AVqp3ms he-delights he willed he desired 3
H6634-05 יִצְבֵּ֖ה yitsebeh AVqi3ms He appoints he wills he desires 1
H6634-02 צְבִית֙ tsevit AVqp1cs I desired I desired I desired 1
H6634-03 וּֽ/כְ/מִצְבְּיֵ֗/הּ ukhemitsebeyeh AC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms and according to-his-will and according to his willing and according to his will 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6634-04 Daniel 4:14 יִצְבֵּא֙ yitsebe AVqp3ms he wills he willed desires
H6634-04 Daniel 4:22 יִצְבֵּ֖א yitsebe AVqi3ms he-will-please he willed he desired
H6634-04 Daniel 4:29 יִצְבֵּ֖א yitsebe AVqi3ms he-delights he willed he desired
H6634-03 Daniel 4:32 וּֽ/כְ/מִצְבְּיֵ֗/הּ ukhemitsebeyeh AC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms and according to-his-will and according to his willing and according to his will
H6634-01 Daniel 5:19 צָבֵ֜א tsave AVqrmsa wanting willing one he killed
H6634-01 Daniel 5:19 צָבֵא֙ tsave-2 AVqrmsa wanting willing one he wished
H6634-01 Daniel 5:19 צָבֵא֙ tsave-3 AVqrmsa wanting willing one he wished
H6634-01 Daniel 5:19 צָבֵ֖א tsave-4 AVqrmsa wanting willing one he wished
H6634-05 Daniel 5:21 יִצְבֵּ֖ה yitsebeh AVqi3ms He appoints he wills he desires
H6634-02 Daniel 7:19 צְבִית֙ tsevit AVqp1cs I desired I desired I desired
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