שִׂיב (H7868) — Hebrew Lexicon

שִׂיב

𐤔𐤉𐤁

sîyb

H7868 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׂיב to turn gray, to become aged, to grow white (hair)

Definition

Gray hair, whiteness due to aging, or the condition of being aged, particularly as a visible sign of advanced years. In Aramaic contexts, וִיב (sîyb) denotes the state or appearance of having gray or white hair, often used metaphorically for old age.

Semantic Range

gray hair, whiteness (of hair), old age, state of being elderly, elder (as one characterized by gray hair)

Root / Etymology

Root שׂיב (שׂ־י־ב), which in Hebrew carries the basic meaning 'to be gray' or 'to turn gray (with age)'. The Aramaic form שׂיב preserves this core meaning, with the abstract noun indicating the physical sign (gray hair) or the condition (old age).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In its original biblical usage, especially in Daniel (Aramaic portions), שִׂיב (sîyb) refers concretely to the gray or white hair associated with the aged, sometimes used as an abstract for old age itself. The term marks age and dignity, sometimes ascribed to venerable figures, including divine representations (as in Daniel 7:9, where it characterizes the 'Ancient of Days'). Its meaning is closely connected to, but distinct from, other terms for elder or old man, such as זָקֵן (Hebrew, meaning 'elder, old man', emphasizing social role and status rather than merely age or appearance). Later, in rabbinic Aramaic and related dialects, the word retained this meaning. English versions often render it as 'aged', 'elder', or 'gray-haired', but these do not always fully convey the visual emphasis of grayness as the sign of age in the ancient Near Eastern context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to שִׂיב; {properly, to become aged, i.e. (by implication) to grow gray}; elder.

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Root Family

שׂיב (ś-y-b) — to turn gray, to become aged, to grow white (hair)

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H7867	שִׂיב	the graying one
H7872	שֵׂיבָה	in gray-haired old age

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H7868-02`	שָׂבֵ֣י	savey	`ANcmpc`	elders	gray-haired ones of	2
`H7868-03`	וּ/לְ/שָׂבֵ֣י	ulesavey	`AC/R/Ncmpc`	and elders of	gray-haired ones of	1
`H7868-01`	לְ/שָׂבַיָּ֣/א	lesavaya	`AR/Ncmpd/Td`	to-the-elders	to the gray-haired ones	1
`H7868-04`	וְ/שָׂבֵ֤י	vesavey	`AC/Ncmpc`	And the elders	gray-haired ones of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H7868-02`	Ezra 5:5	שָׂבֵ֣י	savey	`ANcmpc`	elders	gray-haired ones of
`H7868-01`	Ezra 5:9	לְ/שָׂבַיָּ֣/א	lesavaya	`AR/Ncmpd/Td`	to-the-elders	to the gray-haired ones
`H7868-03`	Ezra 6:7	וּ/לְ/שָׂבֵ֣י	ulesavey	`AC/R/Ncmpc`	and elders of	gray-haired ones of
`H7868-02`	Ezra 6:8	שָׂבֵ֤י	savey	`ANcmpc`	elders	gray-haired ones of
`H7868-04`	Ezra 6:14	וְ/שָׂבֵ֤י	vesavey	`AC/Ncmpc`	And the elders	gray-haired ones of

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