שִׁבְרוֹן
𐤔𐤁𐤓𐤅𐤍
shibrôwn
H7670 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state of breaking, shattering, or collapse, whether literal (as in a physical fracture) or figurative (as in emotional or societal breakdown). The word denotes both the physical act of being broken and the resulting condition of brokenness or ruin. It can thus refer to a fracture, a breaking apart, severe distress, or the destruction of something formerly whole.
Semantic Range
fracture, breaking apart, physical destruction, shattering, calamity, distress, emotional collapse, ruin
Root / Etymology
The noun שִׁבְרוֹן (shibrôn) derives from the verb שָׁבַר (shāvar), meaning 'to break, shatter, burst.' The nominal ending -וֹן forms an abstract or resultative noun, indicating the state or condition resulting from the action (i.e., 'the state of being broken' or 'fracture').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שִׁבְרוֹן appears sparingly, always in poetic or metaphorical contexts, such as 'brokenness of heart' or 'destruction of the daughter of my people' (e.g., Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:21). While the root שָׁבַר also yields terms related to grain or provision in some Semitic languages, שִׁבְרוֹן in Biblical Hebrew is not used in the sense of grain but consistently relates to a sense of fracture, collapse, or personal/societal calamity. English translations often use 'breaking,' 'destruction,' or 'ruin,' but these do not always capture the emotional nuance evident in some poetic passages, especially where the term connotes profound distress or disintegration. It is distinct from other terms such as שֶׁבֶר (shever), which may denote 'breach' or 'fracture' more concretely. The word's usage remains relatively consistent across Israelite history, appearing primarily in late monarchic or exilic texts marked by national calamity or deep lament. Later post-exilic literature and Second Temple writings instead use cognate terms when referencing similar concepts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁבַר; rupture, i.e. a pang; figuratively, ruin; breaking, destruction.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שבר (sh-b-r) — break, shatter, burst
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4866 | מִשְׁבֵּר | in the birth-breaking of |
| H4867 | מִשְׁבָּר | your breaking waves |
| H7665 | שָׁבַר | I will cause to shatter |
| H7666 | שָׁבַר | the grain-dealer |
| H7667 | שֶׁבֶר | in breaking-of |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7670-02 |
שִׁבָּר֖וֹן | shibaron | HNcmsa |
destruction | shattering collapse | 1 |
H7670-01 |
בְּ/שִׁבְר֤וֹן | beshiveron | HR/Ncmsc |
with breaking | in breaking-collapse-of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7670-02 |
Jeremiah 17:18 | שִׁבָּר֖וֹן | shibaron | HNcmsa |
destruction | shattering collapse |
H7670-01 |
Ezekiel 21:11 | בְּ/שִׁבְר֤וֹן | beshiveron | HR/Ncmsc |
with breaking | in breaking-collapse-of |