שִׁבְעָנָה
seven
Definition
The Hebrew noun שִׁבְעָנָה (shibʻânâh) is a feminine form meaning 'seven' or 'a set of seven.' It is a prolonged form of the more common masculine word for seven (שֶׁבַע, sheba'). In its single biblical occurrence, it specifically refers to Job's seven sons (Job 42:13). While the core numerical meaning is identical to its masculine counterpart, the feminine form here poetically emphasizes the completeness and blessing of Job's restored family after his suffering.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 42:13, where it describes the seven sons given to Job after his trials: 'He had also seven sons and three daughters.' Its usage is poetic and emphatic, highlighting the restoration of Job's family to its former, complete number. The context is one of divine blessing and fulfillment, contrasting sharply with the loss described earlier in the book.
Etymology
שִׁבְעָנָה is a prolonged or feminine form derived from the masculine cardinal number שֶׁבַע (sheba', H7651), meaning 'seven.' The '-ânâh' ending is a common feminine suffix. Its root is shared with the verb שָׁבַע (shava', H7650), meaning 'to swear' or 'to seven oneself,' linking the concept of seven to the idea of completeness and oath-making.
Semantic Range
Though a simple number, its use in Job 42:13 is theologically significant. The number seven in Hebrew thought symbolizes completeness, perfection, and divine fulfillment. Here, the restoration of seven sons signifies God's complete restoration of Job's life and blessings, doubling his original possessions (Job 1:2, 42:10). It underscores themes of God's faithfulness, the reversal of fortune, and the fullness of divine blessing after testing.
In ancient Israelite culture, the number seven held deep symbolic meaning, representing wholeness and covenant completion (e.g., the seven days of creation, Sabbath). Having seven sons was considered a sign of exceptional blessing and prosperity (Ruth 4:15). The feminine form used here may subtly personify this blessing as a complete unit, emphasizing the family's restored integrity and social standing.
שֶׁבַע (sheba', H7651) — The standard masculine form for 'seven,' used hundreds of times. שִׁבְעָה (shiv'ah, H7651) — Another feminine form, often used for 'week' or a period of seven days.
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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