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שֹׂבַע

𐤔𐤁𐤏

sôbaʻ

H7648 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State of being sated, fullness, abundance (especially of food); also used figuratively for satisfaction, contentment, or prosperity. Indicates a condition in which one has had enough to eat or has ample provision, and by extension, a sense of abundance or prosperity.

Semantic Range

fullness (esp. of food), abundance, satisfaction, being sated, prosperity, contentment, sufficiency

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׂבַע (s-b-ʿ), meaning 'to be satisfied, to be full'. שֹׂבַע is the noun form, expressing the state or quality of fullness or abundance, especially as it relates to food but also carrying extended meanings of satisfaction and prosperity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, שֹׂבַע most commonly refers to physical fullness after eating, often contrasting with famine or want (e.g., Genesis 41:29-30, Psalm 16:11). In poetic and wisdom literature, the term can be applied more broadly to abundance in general or to inner satisfaction (e.g., Proverbs 3:10). The word does not inherently denote spiritual joy; rather, any figurative extension has to do with a sense of completeness or well-being typically tied to material sufficiency. Usage persists from early Israelite writings through post-exilic texts, although in later periods, the emphasis may subtly shift to broader prosperity. Unlike related terms such as רָוֶה (ravé, 'saturated, well-watered'), שֹׂבַע connotes food sufficiency rather than thirst or irrigation. Standard English translations—'fullness,' 'satisfaction,' or 'abundance'—mostly cover the semantic range, though occasional figurative connotations of well-being or prosperity may not be fully rendered.

Translation Consistency

primary "fullness" 6 occurrences

sôbaʻ primarily denotes being sated or having ample provision — the most natural and common English rendering is “fullness.” It covers physical satiation and the extended senses of abundance, satisfaction, and prosperity, and it is the most frequent existing rendering (5 of 8 occurrences), making it the best consistent choice.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"satisfied" (1x) "satisfaction" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׂבַע; satisfaction (of food or (figuratively) joy); fill, full(-ness), satisfying, be satisfied.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂבע (ś-b-ʿ) — to be full, to be satisfied, to be sated

Root שׂבע to be full, to be satisfied, to be sated
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7646 שָׂבַע I will cause to be satisfied
H7647 שָׂבָע the fullness
H7649 שָׂבֵעַ Sated-one
H7653 שִׂבְעָה satiety of
H7654 שׇׂבְעָה to full satisfaction

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7648-01 לָ/שֹׂ֑בַע lasova HR/Ncmsa to satiety to fullness to fullness 4
H7648-05 שֹׂ֣בַע sova HNcmsc fullness fullness of fullness of 1
H7648-03 מִ/שָּׂבְעָֽ/הּ misaveah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs from her satiety from her fullness from her fullness 1
H7648-02 לְ/שֹׂ֣בַע lesova HR/Ncmsc to satisfaction to fullness to satisfaction 1
H7648-04 שָׂבְעֶ֑/ךָ saveekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms until you are satisfied your fullness until you are satisfied 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7648-01 Exodus 16:3 לָ/שֹׂ֑בַע lasova HR/Ncmsa to satiety to fullness to fullness
H7648-01 Leviticus 25:19 לָ/שֹׂ֑בַע lasova HR/Ncmsa to satiety to fullness to fullness
H7648-01 Leviticus 26:5 לָ/שֹׂ֔בַע lasova HR/Ncmsa to the full to fullness to fullness
H7648-04 Deuteronomy 23:25 שָׂבְעֶ֑/ךָ saveekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms until you are satisfied your fullness until you are satisfied
H7648-05 Psalms 16:11 שֹׂ֣בַע sova HNcmsc fullness fullness of fullness of
H7648-01 Psalms 78:25 לָ/שֹֽׂבַע lasova HR/Ncmsa to satisfaction to fullness to fullness
H7648-02 Proverbs 13:25 לְ/שֹׂ֣בַע lesova HR/Ncmsc to satisfaction to fullness to satisfaction
H7648-03 Ruth 2:18 מִ/שָּׂבְעָֽ/הּ misaveah HR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs from her satiety from her fullness from her fullness
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