שֹׁבֶל
a lady's train (as trailing after her)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שֹׁבֶל (shôbel) refers to the flowing train or hem of a woman's robe, specifically the part that trails behind her as she walks. It is used in Isaiah 47:2 in a poetic command for Babylon, personified as a queen, to uncover her 'leg' (KJV) or 'train' (modern translations), symbolizing a humiliating loss of royal dignity and exposure to shame. The word captures the image of a long, elegant garment associated with nobility and status. In its single biblical occurrence, it is a metaphor for the stripping away of pride and protection.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 47:2. It is used in a prophetic taunt against Babylon, employing vivid imagery of a queen being violently humbled. The context is poetic and metaphorical, using the exposure of a lady's train as a symbol for complete disgrace and vulnerability.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to flow' or 'to trail.' This root idea is reflected in the word's meaning of a flowing, trailing garment. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to flowing water or hanging objects, reinforcing the concept of something that drags or extends behind.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant in its context. It illustrates the biblical theme of God humbling the proud (Isaiah 2:11-12, James 4:6). Babylon's 'train' represents her royal splendor and false security, which God commands to be removed, showing that human glory and power are subject to divine judgment. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah 47 by highlighting the depth of the intended shame and the completeness of Babylon's coming downfall.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a long, trailing robe was a mark of high social status, royalty, or nobility, as it was impractical for manual labor. For a woman to have her train uncovered or handled by others was a profound act of humiliation and violation, signifying loss of honor and reduction to servitude or captivity. The modern concept of a 'train' on a wedding gown retains a hint of this regal association.
כָּנָף (kānāp, H3671) — generally means 'wing' or 'extremity,' but can refer to the corner or hem of a garment (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:27). שׁוּל (shûl, H7757) — specifically means the skirt or hem of a garment (e.g., Exodus 28:33).
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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