שָׂבֵעַ (sa.ve.a)
sa.ve.a
sated
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective sāḇē‘ describes a state of being fully filled or satisfied, typically in reference to food and drink. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Genesis, Job, and Proverbs. The word captures the physical sensation of satiety, marking the point where hunger is completely gone.
While often neutral, the term carries a specific nuance when applied to spiritual or moral contexts. In Deuteronomy 8:12-13, Moses warns that sāḇē‘ can lead to forgetting God, suggesting that excessive fullness may cause pride or distraction. Similarly, Proverbs 30:8 asks for neither poverty nor wealth, implying that being sated by riches can be as dangerous as lacking basic needs.
This word highlights the tension between physical satisfaction and spiritual humility. It reminds readers that having enough is not inherently wrong, but allowing abundance to displace reliance on God is a recurring biblical theme. The sources emphasize its use in describing both natural contentment and the peril of self-sufficiency.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sāḇē‘ describes the physical state of being sated or fully satisfied, usually regarding food and drink. It marks the moment when hunger is completely gone. This simple concept appears ten times in the Old Testament, often describing a natural end to appetite.
However, the Bible also uses this word to highlight a spiritual danger. In Deuteronomy and Proverbs, Moses and Solomon warn that being too full can lead to forgetting God or losing appreciation for what is good. When we are completely satisfied with our own resources, we may stop looking to Him for daily provision.
This tension invites us to examine our hearts. Physical satisfaction is not wrong, but allowing abundance to replace reliance on God is a recurring theme. We can find peace in knowing that true contentment comes from fearing the Lord, not just from having enough bread on the table.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ satisfied of2×
- and/ satisfied2×
- surfeited of1×
- satisfied of1×
- satisfied [people]1×
- satisfied1×
- and/ surfeited of1×
- [is] satisfied of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂבַ֥ע2×
- שְׂבַ֣ע1×
- שְׂבֵעִ֤ים1×
- שְׂ֭בֵעָה1×
- וּֽ/שְׂבַֽע\־1×
- וּ/שְׂבַ֥ע1×
- וּ/שְׂבַ֣ע1×
- וְ/שָׂבֵ֥עַ1×
- וְ/שָׂבֵ֑עַ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 33:23
About Naphtali he said, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of Yahweh’s blessing, Possess the west and the south.”
This verse applies the concept of being 'satisfied' to Naphtali's relationship with God's blessing, showing that spiritual favor can also lead to a state of fullness.
-
I Samuel 2:5
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.
Here the word contrasts those who are physically sated with those who are hungry, illustrating how God reverses earthly circumstances and provides for the needy.
-
Proverbs 27:7
A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
This proverb uses satiety to explain why a person who is too full may reject good things, while someone in need finds value even in bitter experiences.