שָׂבָע
𐤔𐤁𐤏
sâbâʻ
H7647 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or condition of being full, exceeding sufficiency, or experiencing abundance—typically in relation to food, but contextually extended to general prosperity, wealth, or plenty. The term can denote a tangible surplus, such as excess harvest, or a figurative sense of satisfaction or fulfillment.
Semantic Range
abundance, plenty, fullness, state of being satiated, sufficiency, prosperity, satisfaction (literal and figurative), copiousness, excess
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שָׂבַע (s-b-ʿ), which means 'to be satisfied, to be sated, to have enough, to be full.' שָׂבָע is a nominal formation indicating the quality or condition resulting from the root action—i.e., the state of abundance or satiety.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שָׂבָע predominantly refers to agricultural abundance or fullness, often associated with the blessing of the land and seen as a sign of divine favor (e.g., Deuteronomy 33:23, Psalm 16:11). Although most frequently applied to foodstuffs (especially grain, fruit, oil), the word can generically extend to any state of sufficiency or satisfaction. At times, it contrasts with famine or deprivation (see Genesis 41:29–30). While שָׂבָע primarily indicates physical or material abundance, later biblical usage and some poetic texts employ it metaphorically to connote comprehensive well-being or satisfaction with life. English translations such as 'abundance,' 'plenty,' or 'fullness' capture most senses of the term but sometimes miss its deeper resonance of complete satisfaction. The root שָׂבַע and this noun are distinct from שָׂב (Old Man, hoary), despite superficial similarity. No significant post-exilic semantic shift is observed, though the concept of satiety could acquire broader, more abstract senses in wisdom and poetic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂבַע; copiousness; abundance, plenteous(-ness, -ly).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂבע (ś-b-ʿ) — to be satisfied, to be sated, to be full, to have enough
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7646 | שָׂבַע | I will cause to be satisfied |
| H7648 | שֹׂבַע | to fullness |
| H7649 | שָׂבֵעַ | Sated-one |
| H7653 | שִׂבְעָה | satiety of |
| H7654 | שׇׂבְעָה | to full satisfaction |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7647-01 |
הַ/שָּׂבָ֖ע | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
of plenty | the fullness | 5 |
H7647-02 |
שָׂבָ֥ע | sava | HNcmsa |
abundance | full abundance | 2 |
H7647-03 |
וְ/הַ/שָּׂבָע֙ | vehasava | HC/Td/Ncmsa |
and the abundance | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7647-02 |
Genesis 41:29 | שָׂבָ֥ע | sava | HNcmsa |
abundance | full abundance |
H7647-01 |
Genesis 41:30 | הַ/שָּׂבָ֖ע | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
the abundance | the fullness |
H7647-01 |
Genesis 41:31 | הַ/שָּׂבָע֙ | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
the plenty | the fullness |
H7647-01 |
Genesis 41:34 | הַ/שָּׂבָֽע | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
of abundance | the fullness |
H7647-01 |
Genesis 41:47 | הַ/שָּׂבָ֑ע | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
of plenty | the fullness |
H7647-01 |
Genesis 41:53 | הַ/שָּׂבָ֑ע | hasava | HTd/Ncmsa |
of plenty | the fullness |
H7647-02 |
Proverbs 3:10 | שָׂבָ֑ע | sava | HNcmsa |
with plenty | full abundance |
H7647-03 |
Ecclesiastes 5:11 | וְ/הַ/שָּׂבָע֙ | vehasava | HC/Td/Ncmsa |
and the abundance |