שָׁבוּעַ (sha.vu.a)
sha.vu.a
Weeks
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shavu’a denotes a period of seven units, most commonly days or years. In Genesis 29:27-28, it describes the seven-year term Jacob served for Rachel, establishing the word’s basic sense of a heptad. This root meaning of “seven” connects directly to its use in Leviticus 23:15-16, where it names the Feast of Weeks, a harvest festival occurring after counting seven weeks.
The term carries significant theological weight as the Hebrew basis for the Greek word Pentecost. When the New Testament writers refer to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, they are translating the concept of shavu’a into Greek. This linguistic bridge highlights how Jewish festivals were understood and celebrated by early Christians.
Translators usually render shavu’a as “week” or “weeks,” depending on context. The word appears sixteen times in Scripture, with notable occurrences in Daniel 9:2, where it measures seventy weeks of years. This usage underscores the term’s flexibility in measuring both short periods and extended prophetic timelines.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shavu’a points to a period of seven units, often days or years. It appears in Genesis when Jacob serves for Rachel, marking a specific term of labor. This usage shows that time is not random but structured by God’s design. Each week carries purpose, whether it involves work, rest, or celebration.
In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, the term names the Feast of Weeks, a harvest festival where Israel offered thanks for God’s provision. Jeremiah 5:24 reminds us that God preserves these appointed weeks, giving rain in its season. This stability offers comfort when life feels uncertain. We can trust that our days are held in His hands.
The word also appears in Daniel’s visions, measuring seventy weeks of years. This extended timeline shows that God’s plans unfold over long periods, beyond immediate sight. Whether counting seven days or seventy weeks, shavu’a teaches us to wait patiently on God’s timing. His purposes are sure, even when the path is long.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- weeks4×
- sevens4×
- the/ weeks2×
- [the] week of2×
- two weeks1×
- the/ sevens1×
- the/ seven1×
- seven1×
- at/ weeks/ your1×
- and/ sevens1×
- [the] weeks of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁבֻעִ֖ים3×
- שְׁבֻ֣עַ2×
- הַ/שָּׁבֻע֖וֹת2×
- שָׁבֻעוֹת֙1×
- שָׁבֻעֽוֹת\׃1×
- שָׁבֻעֹת֙1×
- שָׁבֻעֹ֖ת1×
- שָׁבֻעִ֨ים1×
- שָׁב֣וּעַ1×
- שְׁבֻעַ֖יִם1×
- שְׁבֻע֛וֹת1×
- וְ/שָׁבֻעִ֞ים1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 29:28
Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
This verse shows the word used for a specific term of service, establishing its basic meaning as a complete seven-day period.
-
Deuteronomy 16:9
You shall count for yourselves seven weeks. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain you shall begin to count seven weeks.
Here the command to count seven weeks links the concept directly to agricultural cycles and divine provision through harvest.
-
Jeremiah 5:24
They don’t say in their heart, ‘Let’s now fear Yahweh our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season, who preserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’
The phrase 'appointed weeks of the harvest' highlights God’s faithfulness in maintaining natural rhythms for human sustenance.
-
Daniel 9:24
“Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
This verse uses the word to measure seventy weeks of years, demonstrating its flexibility in prophetic timelines.