סִבָּה (sib.bah)
sib.bah
turn
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun sibbah refers to a "turn" or "change" in circumstances, specifically describing a shift in the course of events. It captures the moment when a situation pivots, altering the direction of affairs for those involved.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Kings 12:15. There, it describes the divine turning of the kingdom away from Rehoboam and toward Jeroboam. The term highlights that this political shift was not merely accidental but represented a decisive change in the trajectory of history.
Because its usage is so singular, sibbah carries significant weight in its context. It marks a critical juncture where human plans intersect with sovereign will, illustrating how external events can rapidly reverse established orders.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sibbah describes a sudden turn in circumstances, a shift that changes the direction of events entirely. It appears only once in Scripture, marking a moment where human plans meet divine sovereignty. In 1 Kings 12:15, this turn redirects the kingdom from Rehoboam to Jeroboam, showing that history is not driven by chance but by God’s purposeful will.
When life takes an unexpected turn, it can feel disorienting. Yet this word reminds us that God remains active even when outcomes reverse our expectations. We do not need to control every detail; we can trust that God’s purposes stand firm. His plans endure beyond our immediate understanding, offering stability in times of change.
This assurance invites peace rather than fear. When paths shift, we are not abandoned but guided by a faithful Creator who holds the future. Rest in the knowledge that His word stands sure, even when circumstances turn unexpectedly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a turn1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סִבָּה֙1×