שָׁבַע (sha.va)
sha.va
to swear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 159 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shaba means to swear or take an oath, binding oneself with a solemn promise. It appears frequently in Genesis and Deuteronomy, marking critical moments where individuals or God establish unbreakable commitments. The word carries significant weight, often used when parties seek to guarantee their truthfulness through a formal declaration.
Its form derives from the root for "seven," suggesting an ancient practice of swearing by invoking the sacred number seven. This connection implies completeness and finality in the pledge. When God swears, as seen in Genesis 22:16, it underscores the absolute certainty of His promise. Human oaths, such as those between Abraham and Abimelech in Genesis 21, serve to resolve disputes and secure peace through mutual accountability.
The sources note that swearing by God’s name is closely linked to worship and loyalty, while cursing oneself if the oath is broken adds a layer of serious consequence. Translators typically render shaba as "swear" or "take an oath," preserving the gravity of the verbal act. This linguistic choice highlights how ancient Israelites viewed speech not merely as communication but as a binding legal and spiritual force.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shaba connects us to the ancient practice of swearing oaths, often linked to the number seven and the idea of completeness. When people in Scripture swore an oath, they were not just making a casual promise; they were invoking God as a witness to their commitment. This act carried serious weight, binding the speaker in a way that reflected deep loyalty and truthfulness.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s promises are equally unbreakable. In Genesis 22:16, God swears by Himself, showing that His word is the ultimate standard of reliability. When you face uncertainty, you can rest in the fact that the One who made these solemn pledges is faithful to fulfill every detail.
Human oaths also highlight the importance of integrity in our daily lives. Whether between individuals or within the community, keeping your word honors God and builds trust with others. This practice encourages us to speak truthfully and live consistently with our commitments, reflecting the character of a God who never changes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 159 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he swore24×
- I swore15×
- and/ he swore an oath12×
- he had sworn7×
- I swear7×
- and/ he swore6×
- you swore5×
- he has sworn4×
- I adjure4×
- swear/ !3×
- he swore an oath3×
- and/ they swore an oath3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִשְׁבַּ֥ע10×
- נִשְׁבַּ֧ע6×
- נִשְׁבַּ֖ע6×
- נִשְׁבַּ֤ע5×
- נִשְׁבַּ֨ע4×
- נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי4×
- נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי4×
- וַ/יִּשָּׁבַ֨ע4×
- וַ/יִּשָּׁבַ֖ע4×
- נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי3×
- נִשְׁבַּ֣ע3×
- נִשְׁבַּ֛ע3×
Key Verses
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Genesis 22:16
and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
God swears by Himself to confirm His promise to Abraham, emphasizing the absolute certainty and unbreakable nature of His covenant.
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Genesis 21:24
Abraham said, “I will swear.”
Abraham’s simple response, 'I will swear,' demonstrates his commitment to honor the agreement with Abimelech, showing integrity in human relationships.
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Genesis 50:25
Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”
Joseph takes an oath from his brothers regarding his bones, linking the hope of future deliverance to a solemn promise that would endure generations.
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Leviticus 19:12
“‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
This verse prohibits swearing falsely by God’s name, highlighting that oaths are sacred acts that must reflect true reverence for God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word shaba mean?
Why is shaba connected to the number seven?
How does God’s use of shaba differ from human oaths?
Where does shaba appear most frequently in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (159 verses across 26 books)
Genesis 17 verses
Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son.…
Genesis 21:24Abraham said, “I will swear.”
Genesis 21:31Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there.
Genesis 22:16and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son,…
Genesis 24:3I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son…
Genesis 24:7Yahweh, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who…
Genesis 24:9The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Genesis 24:37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose…
Genesis 25:33Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.
Genesis 26:3Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these…
Genesis 26:31They rose up some time in the morning, and swore an oath to one another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from…
Genesis 31:53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of…
Genesis 47:31Israel said, “Swear to me,” and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself on the bed’s head.
Genesis 50:5‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of…
Genesis 50:6Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”
Genesis 50:24Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land…
Genesis 50:25Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones…