שְׂגוּב
Segub, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Segub is a proper name given to two individuals in the Old Testament, both Israelites. The first Segub is the son of Hiel of Bethel, who rebuilt Jericho and, in fulfillment of Joshua's curse (Joshua 6:26), lost his firstborn son Abiram and his youngest son Segub when he laid its foundations and gates, respectively (1 Kings 16:34). The second Segub is a descendant of Judah, the son of Hezron and father of Jair, noted in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:21-22. The name itself carries the meaning 'elevated' or 'protected,' derived from its root.
Biblical Usage
The name Segub appears only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in narrative and genealogical contexts. It is used once in the historical book of 1 Kings (16:34) in the tragic story of Hiel's rebuilding of Jericho. It appears twice in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles (2:21, 22), tracing the lineage of the tribe of Judah. There is no pattern of usage beyond identifying these two specific individuals.
Etymology
Segub (שְׂגוּב) is derived from the Hebrew root שָׂגַב (sagab, H7682), which means 'to be high, exalted, or inaccessible,' and often carries the sense of being set on high for defense or protection. The name is a passive participle form, meaning 'elevated,' 'exalted,' or 'protected.' It shares this root with words and names expressing height and security, such as the divine title 'Most High' (Elyon).
Semantic Range
While the name Segub itself is not theologically loaded, its appearances connect to significant themes. In 1 Kings 16:34, Segub's death starkly demonstrates the fulfillment of divine prophecy (Joshua 6:26) and the serious consequences of defying God's declared word, a key theme in the Deuteronomistic history. His name, meaning 'protected,' stands in ironic contrast to his fate, highlighting that no human endeavor can secure safety apart from God's covenant. In 1 Chronicles, his inclusion affirms God's faithfulness in preserving the messianic line of Judah.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Naming a child Segub ('elevated/protected') likely expressed a parent's hope or declaration for the child's future security and status. The tragic story in 1 Kings 16:34 reflects the deep cultural belief in the power and inevitability of a spoken curse, especially one pronounced by a figure like Joshua under divine authority.
Sagab (שָׂגַב, H7682) — the root verb meaning 'to be high, exalted, or inaccessible,' from which Segub is derived. Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן, H5945) — a title for God meaning 'Most High,' sharing the conceptual field of exaltedness.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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