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צְבוּ

𐤑𐤁𐤅

tsᵉbûw

H6640 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צבא to wish, to intend, to will, to decide

Definition

As an Aramaic noun, צְבוּ (tsᵉbûw) signifies 'will, purpose, intention, desire'—that is, a decision or volitional resolve of an individual or authority. In some contexts, it can denote a specific matter, business, or affair determined by will, particularly when referring to an official decree, royal decision, or judicial order.

Semantic Range

will, purpose, intention, resolve, decree, matter of determination, official decision, business, affair

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root צבא (Aramaic, corresponding to Hebrew צָבָא), with a primary sense of 'to wish, want, will, intend.' While the Hebrew root commonly means 'to wage war, serve, muster' when referring to hosts or armies, the Aramaic usage primarily centers on the concepts of volition or intentionality. צְבוּ results from this sense, focusing on the outcome or object of will or intent.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צְבוּ occurs in a handful of Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel and Ezra), where it is employed primarily in administrative or judicial contexts to denote that which is deliberately intended or decreed (e.g., a royal edict, a council's decision, or a resolved purpose). The word does not carry the sense of 'host' or 'army' as its Hebrew root does. Standard English translations usually use 'will,' 'purpose,' or 'pleasure,' but these may understate the term's occasional legal or sovereign nuance (as in 'decree' or 'official resolve'). Contrasts noticeably with other Aramaic terms such as רְעוּ ('desire' or 'favor'), which are more emotive, whereas צְבוּ is volitional and administrative. Its usage remains largely stable across the Achaemenid Persian period, where Aramaic is the lingua franca of administration; it is uncommon outside of official or formal documentation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from צְבָא; properly, will; concretely, an affair (as a matter of determination); purpose.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צבא (ṣ-b-ʾ) — to wish, to intend, to will, to decide

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6633 צָבָא the one mobilizing for service
H6634 צְבָא willing one
H6635 צָבָא in the organized host
H6648 צֶבַע host of
H6717 צִיבָא to Stationed-One

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6640-01 צְב֖וּ tsevu ANcfsa matter determined purpose 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6640-01 Daniel 6:18 צְב֖וּ tsevu ANcfsa matter determined purpose
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