שָׂבַר (sa.var)
sa.var
to inspect; to await
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sa.var carries two distinct meanings depending on its grammatical pattern, or binyan. In the basic Qal stem, it means to inspect or examine closely. This sense appears in Ruth 2:5, where Boaz asks his servant to identify a young woman he has seen in the fields, requiring a careful look to recognize her.
When shifted to the Piel stem, the meaning changes significantly to waiting for or hoping for something. It describes an active, expectant stance rather than passive idleness. The Psalms use this form frequently, such as in Psalm 39:7, where the psalmist declares that his hope is in God alone, implying a steadfast waiting for divine intervention.
This shift from visual inspection to temporal expectation highlights how Hebrew verbs often expand their semantic range through conjugation. The Piel stem transforms the act of looking into an attitude of reliance, connecting the physical act of watching with the spiritual posture of trust.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sa.var offers a gentle reminder that God sees every detail of our lives. In Ruth, Boaz asks his servant to inspect the fields, noticing a specific woman who had been working diligently. This shows us that nothing in our daily labor goes unnoticed by the One who created us. Your efforts, even when they feel small or unseen, are observed with care.
When the word shifts to mean waiting or hoping, it invites us into a posture of active trust. The psalmist does not sit in idle anxiety but fixes his eyes on God’s salvation. This is not passive waiting; it is a confident expectation that God will provide what is needed. Like the birds and animals that look to their Creator for food, we are invited to rest in His timely provision.
Whether you are facing a moment of uncertainty or simply going about your day, this word encourages you to know you are seen and to hope with steady patience. God’s timing is perfect, and His attention to you is constant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- examining2×
- will you wait1×
- they wait/ !1×
- they wait1×
- they hope1×
- they had hoped1×
- I wait1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה1×
- שֹׂבֵ֜ר1×
- שֹׂבֵ֖ר1×
- שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי1×
- שִׂבְּר֜וּ1×
- יְשַׂבֵּר֑וּ/ן1×
- יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ1×
- יְשַׂבְּר֥וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 2:13
I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire.
Here the word means 'inspected,' as Nehemiah carefully assesses the broken walls, demonstrating practical discernment in a time of crisis.
-
Psalms 104:27
These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season.
The Piel stem here describes creatures 'waiting' for food, illustrating creation’s active dependence on God’s provision.
-
Psalms 119:166
I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.
The psalmist declares he has 'hoped' for salvation, linking the act of waiting with a deep trust in God’s deliverance.