שְׁבַט
𐤔𐤁𐤈
shᵉbaṭ
H7625 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A distinct group within a people or nation, especially a clan or tribe, typically designating a line of descent or kinship group. In Aramaic biblical and related literature, the term specifically refers to a major kin group or tribe as a political or social unit within a larger confederation.
Semantic Range
tribe, clan, a kin-group subdivision of a nation; political or genealogical tribe; sometimes clan group within a tribe
Root / Etymology
Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew שֵׁבֶט (ševeṭ), which derives from the root שׁבט meaning 'to strike, to rule, to staff.' The lexical meaning here (clan, tribe) is a secondary development from the original sense of a staff or rod (symbolizing authority), that is, those united under one staff (i.e., leadership).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁבַט (shᵉbaṭ) occurs as an Aramaic term (not as a native Hebrew form) in the post-exilic biblical and related literature, notably in the books of Daniel and Ezra (written partly in Aramaic). Its primary function is as a designation for distinct kinship groups or tribes, parallel to the Hebrew term שֵׁבֶט. Unlike גוי (goy, nation) or עַם (ʿam, people/folk), שְׁבַט points to a subgroup within a people. In late biblical and post-biblical usage, it often refers to the tribal divisions of the Israelite people (e.g., the traditional Twelve Tribes). The term may be rendered "tribe" or sometimes "clan"; English versions occasionally conflate it with "nation," which may blur its more precise meaning. Because of its Aramaic character, its use is restricted to specific biblical texts and later Aramaic Jewish literature. Over time, the distinction between שֵׁבֶט (tribal division) and מַטֶּה (another term for tribe, also meaning 'staff') remained significant, though both came to refer to tribal groupings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to שֵׁבֶט; a clan; tribe.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁבט (š-b-ṭ) — to strike, extend, branch off
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3427 | יָשַׁב | rod-staff |
| H7626 | שֵׁבֶט | with the staff-rod |
| H7674 | שֶׁבֶת | rod-staff |
| H7675 | שֶׁבֶת | staff-rod |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7625-01 |
שִׁבְטֵ֥י | shivetey | ANcmpc |
of the tribes | tribes of | the tribes of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7625-01 |
Ezra 6:17 | שִׁבְטֵ֥י | shivetey | ANcmpc |
of the tribes | tribes of | the tribes of |