שְׁבָאִי
𐤔𐤁𐤀𐤉
Shevai
H7615 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Designation for a member or descendant of Sheba, a group or clan name used in genealogical or tribal lists within the Hebrew Bible. The term primarily functions as an ethnonym, identifying an individual as a Shebaite—one belonging to the people or clan associated with Sheba; usually appears in lists of returnees from exile or in genealogical contexts.
Semantic Range
member of the clan or descendants of Sheba; Shebaite by genealogy; ethnonym for an individual from the Sheba group; one of the returnees from exile named in biblical records
Root / Etymology
From the root שְׁבָא (Sheba), which itself is of uncertain origin; the -ִי (iy) suffix forms a gentilic or adjectival noun indicating affiliation or descent, hence meaning 'of Sheba' or 'Shebaite.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁבָאִי occurs in post-exilic lists (e.g., Ezra 2:46; Nehemiah 7:48), identifying a group among the returnees from Babylonian exile. The association with Sheba could be linked to a tribal or clan ancestor named Sheba—possibly connected to various figures named Sheba in biblical genealogies (e.g., a son of Joktan or a descendant of Abraham via Jokshan). While some traditions (including later translations) use 'Sabean' and link the group to South Arabian contexts, the biblical reference here is specifically to a post-exilic returnee group, and its connection to the wider Sabean civilization remains debated. 'Shebaite' as an English rendering preserves the Israelite genealogical and clan nuance found in the biblical lists. Unlike the ancient Sabeans of South Arabia (famous for their kingdom and incense trade), these biblical Shebaites are identified by their clan lineage within Israelite community records.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymic from שְׁבָא; a Shebaite or descendant of Sheba; Sabean.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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שׁבא (š-b-ʾ) — captivity, oath (root sense, uncertain for the name)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7614 | שְׁבָא | from Sheba |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7615-01 |
לִ/שְׁבָאיִ֖ם | lishevayim | HR/Ngmpa |
to Shebaites | to the Shebaites | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7615-01 |
Joel 4:8 | לִ/שְׁבָאיִ֖ם | lishevayim | HR/Ngmpa |
to Shebaites | to the Shebaites |