שִׁבְעָ֫נָה (shiv.a.nah)
shiv.a.nah
seven
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The word shiv’ah represents the number seven in Hebrew, a term deeply embedded in biblical numerology as a symbol of completeness or perfection. While the standard masculine form shiv‘ah appears frequently throughout Scripture, this specific variant is notable for its rarity and unique textual history.
It occurs only once in the entire Bible, found in Job 42:13. In this verse, it describes the number of sons Job had after his restoration. Most Hebrew manuscripts and modern critical editions read the standard form shiv‘ah here, suggesting that shiv’ah may be a scribal variation or a feminine agreement with a understood noun like "heads" or "families," though the text itself simply lists the count.
This single occurrence highlights the precision of textual transmission. The word does not carry a distinct meaning from the common seven; rather, its presence reminds readers of the careful work of translators and editors who navigate minor orthographic differences to preserve the original message. In Job’s story, whether read as shiv‘ah or shiv’ah, the number signifies the fullness of God’s blessing restored to the patriarch.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The number seven in Scripture often signals a complete circle of blessing or divine perfection. In Job 42:13, we see this pattern clearly as Job receives seven sons after his long season of suffering. This specific Hebrew form appears only here, reminding us that God’s restoration is not partial but whole.
When life feels broken or incomplete, this verse offers a quiet hope. The text does not just list numbers; it points to a fullness that returns. You do not have to earn this completeness. It is a gift given in grace, showing that God’s care covers every part of your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- seven1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁבְעָ֥נָה1×
Key Verses
-
Job 42:13
He had also seven sons and three daughters.
This verse uses the rare form to mark the complete restoration of Job's family after his trials.