שְׁבַט
a clan
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׁבַט (shᵉbaṭ) refers to a 'tribe' or 'clan,' specifically denoting a social and political subdivision of a people, often based on lineage. In its single biblical occurrence in Ezra 6:17, it is used in the Aramaic portion of the book to describe the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing their restored identity during the dedication of the Second Temple. While this Aramaic form appears only once, its Hebrew counterpart (שֵׁבֶט) is used extensively throughout the Old Testament with the same core meaning of a tribal unit, sometimes extending metaphorically to a 'rod' or 'scepter' symbolizing authority.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic section of Ezra 6:17. Here, it describes the twelve tribes of Israel in the context of the post-exilic community offering sacrifices at the dedication of the rebuilt temple. The usage is formal and liturgical, reaffirming the continuity of Israel's tribal structure despite the exile. Its Hebrew counterpart (שֵׁבֶט) is far more common, appearing in narratives, poetry, and prophetic books to describe the tribes of Israel (e.g., Genesis 49:16, Deuteronomy 29:21) and, in a different sense, a rod or staff (e.g., Psalm 23:4).
Etymology
The word שְׁבַט is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew noun שֵׁבֶט (H7626). Both derive from a root meaning to 'branch off' or 'sprout,' conceptually linking the idea of a tribe to a branching family line. The Hebrew שֵׁבֶט carries the dual meaning of 'tribe' and 'rod/staff,' likely because a rod was a symbol of a tribal leader's authority. The Aramaic form in Ezra preserves the 'tribe' meaning specifically within an official imperial document context.
Semantic Range
Though this specific Aramaic form is rare, the concept of the 'tribe' (שֵׁבֶט/שְׁבַט) is theologically central to Israel's identity as God's covenant people, organized around the twelve sons of Jacob. In Ezra 6:17, its use underscores the restoration of that divinely instituted structure after the exile, signifying God's faithfulness to His promises. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how post-exilic Israel saw itself not as a new entity, but as a direct continuation of the tribal nation God had originally formed.
In the ancient Near East, a tribe (שְׁבַט) was a fundamental social unit based on real or perceived kinship, providing identity, protection, and inheritance rights. The twelve tribes of Israel were distinct from surrounding nations in that their tribal structure was directly tied to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs. The mention in Ezra 6:17, within an official Persian document, shows that even the imperial administration recognized this unique social and religious framework for the Jewish people.
מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — Another common word for 'tribe,' often used interchangeably with שֵׁבֶט, but can more specifically denote a 'staff' or 'rod.' שֵׁבֶט (shēḇeṭ, H7626) — The direct Hebrew counterpart, identical in meaning as 'tribe' but with the additional meaning of 'rod' or 'scepter.'
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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