סַבְתָּה (sav.tah)
sav.tah
Sabtah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Sabtah is a proper name found in the genealogical records of Genesis and Chronicles, identifying one of the sons of Cush. The sources indicate it appears only twice in Scripture (Genesis 10:7 and 1 Chronicles 1:9), where it functions as part of the Table of Nations rather than as a narrative character with personal actions.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted to mean "striking." This meaning likely reflects a characteristic or reputation associated with the individual or his lineage. As the third son of Cush, Sabtah is listed alongside brothers such as Seba and Havilah, helping to map the ancient understanding of peoples in the southern regions.
Its brevity in the text underscores its role as a marker of identity within a larger family structure. Translators typically retain the name as Sabtah or Sabta, preserving the phonetic link to the Hebrew root without adding interpretive commentary. The word serves primarily to establish lineage rather than to convey theological instruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often feel like distant footnotes, yet they carry weight as markers of identity within God’s broader story. Sabtah appears in genealogies that map the nations descending from Noah, reminding us that every people group has a place in the divine record. This word does not describe a moral lesson or a spiritual command; instead, it stands as a quiet witness to the diversity of human lineage.
For your faith life, these records invite humility and connection. They show that God’s plan encompasses all families and regions, weaving individual names into a vast tapestry of history. When you encounter such brief mentions, consider them invitations to recognize the shared humanity rooted in creation. Each name affirms that no lineage is overlooked in God’s sovereign ordering of the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Sabtah1×
- and/ Sabta1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/סַבְתָּ֥ה1×
- וְ/סַבְתָּ֥א1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:7
The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan.
This verse places Sabtah among the sons of Cush, establishing his position within the Table of Nations and linking him to specific ancient regions.
-
I Chronicles 1:9
The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
The parallel account in Chronicles reaffirms the genealogical line, showing how later scribes preserved these ancestral markers for their community.