Bible Word Study
סְבַר
çᵉbar · to bear in mind, i.e. hope
סְבַר
to bear in mind, i.e. hope
Definition
The Aramaic verb סְבַר (çᵉbar) means to bear in mind, consider, or think. In its single biblical occurrence, it carries the sense of a deliberate mental act, specifically the act of thinking or intending to do something. It describes a purposeful mental focus, often with an implication of resulting action or hope based on that thought. The word captures the connection between internal cognition and external intention.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, specifically in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. In Daniel 7:25, it describes the arrogant 'thinking' or 'intending' of a persecuting king to change times and law. The context is prophetic, depicting the king's deliberate, prideful mindset and his plans against God's people.
Etymology
This is an Aramaic primitive root verb, not Hebrew. It is cognate with the Hebrew verb שָׂבַר (sāḇar, H7662), which means 'to hope' or 'to wait for.' The semantic development connects the idea of 'bearing in mind' with the expectation or hope that follows from sustained thought.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it describes the mindset of an anti-God power in Daniel's prophecy. It highlights the theme of human arrogance versus divine sovereignty. The king's 'thinking' (סְבַר) represents human rebellion that intends to usurp God's authority over times and laws, contrasting with the faithful who 'hope' in God's ultimate deliverance. Understanding this Aramaic term enriches the reading of Daniel 7 by clarifying the intentional, calculated nature of the opposition faced by God's people. In the Aramaic-speaking context of the Babylonian exile, this verb for 'thinking' implied a calculated plan or resolve. Unlike a fleeting thought, it suggested a settled intention with expected consequences, fitting the portrayal of a ruler's decree in the imperial setting of Daniel. שָׂבַר (sāḇar, H7662) — A Hebrew cognate meaning primarily 'to hope' or 'wait expectantly,' focusing on the emotional outcome of sustained thought. חָשַׁב (ḥāšaḇ, H2803) — A common Hebrew verb for 'to think, plan, or devise,' with a broader range of mental activity, including inventing and accounting.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]