שֵׂיב
old age
Definition
The Hebrew noun שֵׂיב (sêyb) specifically refers to the state or condition of being old, i.e., old age. It denotes the advanced period of human life, often characterized by the physical signs of aging. The word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Kings 14:4, where it describes the aged Ahijah's failing eyesight. Its meaning is straightforward and does not carry additional metaphorical senses in its biblical usage.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only one time in the Old Testament. It appears in the historical book of 1 Kings, within the narrative about King Jeroboam's wife seeking a prophecy from the aged prophet Ahijah. The context is explicitly about the physical limitations associated with advanced years, as stated: 'Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age (sêyb)' (1 Kings 14:4).
Etymology
The noun שֵׂיב (sêyb) is directly derived from the verb שִׂיב (sîyb, H7867), which means 'to be hoary, to grow gray.' This root connection highlights the primary physical marker of aging in the ancient Near East—the whitening or graying of hair. The noun form thus concretizes the state produced by the action of the verb.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple descriptor, its single biblical occurrence connects to the broader biblical theme of honoring the elderly and recognizing the wisdom and experience that can accompany long life (e.g., Leviticus 19:32). The specific context in 1 Kings 14:4 also subtly underscores God's communication through prophets regardless of their physical infirmities, as Ahijah delivers a crucial prophecy despite his blindness from age.
In ancient Israelite culture, old age (sêyb) was generally viewed as a sign of divine blessing and a life lived with favor (e.g., Proverbs 16:31). Gray hair was a crown of glory. The physical decline mentioned in 1 Kings 14:4 was an accepted part of this honored life stage, not merely a medical condition. This contrasts with some modern perspectives that often prioritize youth and may view aging more negatively.
זָקֵן (zāqēn, H2205) — A more common term for 'old' or 'elder,' often emphasizing status, authority, or maturity, not just the physical state. זִקְנָה (ziqnâ, H2208) — Another noun for 'old age,' closely related to זָקֵן, used in narratives like Genesis 24:36.
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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