שֶׁבַע
Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites
Definition
The Hebrew word 'Sheba' (שֶׁבַע) is a proper noun referring primarily to a geographical location and secondarily to two individuals. Geographically, it denotes a town within the territory of Simeon in southern Judah (Joshua 19:2). More prominently, it refers to a man named Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjaminite who led a significant rebellion against King David, declaring, "We have no portion in David" (2 Samuel 20:1). This rebellion was a major political crisis. A third, distinct individual named Sheba is listed among the descendants of Gad in 1 Chronicles 5:13.
Biblical Usage
The word is used 10 times in the Old Testament, almost exclusively within the narrative of 2 Samuel 20, detailing the rebellion of Sheba son of Bichri. Its usage is concentrated in this single, dramatic story of insurrection and its suppression by Joab. The other two occurrences are a geographical reference in the tribal allotment list of Joshua 19:2 and a genealogical note in 1 Chronicles 5:13.
Etymology
The name 'Sheba' is identical to the Hebrew cardinal number 'seven' (שֶׁבַע, H7651). It derives from the common Semitic root for 'seven,' often associated with the idea of fullness or completion. As a place or personal name, it likely carried connotations of oath-swearing (as in the 'seven' lambs of Beersheba, Genesis 21:28-31) or divine blessing and completeness.
Semantic Range
The story of Sheba's rebellion (2 Samuel 20) is theologically significant as it illustrates the fragile nature of David's united kingdom following Absalom's revolt. It highlights themes of political division, the consequences of tribal rivalry (Judah vs. Israel), and God's preservation of the Davidic line despite continual internal threats. Understanding this name enriches reading by connecting the rebel's identity to concepts of oath and covenant ('seven'), adding ironic depth to his act of covenant-breaking against the Lord's anointed king.
In the ancient Near East, names derived from numbers (like 'Seven') were common and often held symbolic or religious meaning, possibly relating to local cultic practices or ideals of perfection. The rebellion itself reflects the persistent tribal tensions in early Israel, where allegiance was often to tribe or charismatic leader over a centralized monarchy.
Bichri (Bikrî, H1075) — Sheba's patronymic, identifying his lineage. Benjamin (Binyâmîn, H1144) — Sheba's tribe, central to understanding the rebellion's tribal politics.
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.
Full methodology & sources →