שְׁבָרִים (she.va.rim)
she.va.rim
Shebarim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun shevarim translates simply as "breaches" or "breaks." In the Hebrew Bible, it derives from a root meaning to break or crush, describing a physical fracture in a line or wall. The term appears only once in Scripture, located in Joshua 7:5 during the account of Israel’s defeat at Ai.
Here, the word describes the specific points where the defenders’ formation collapsed under attack. It captures the moment the defensive line shattered, allowing the enemy to pursue them. This usage highlights the suddenness and violence of the rout, marking the transition from organized resistance to chaotic flight.
Because this is a proper noun referring to a geographic point in the battle narrative, it functions as a label for that location rather than a general description of damage. The text uses it to pinpoint where the breach occurred, anchoring the historical event to a specific spot on the battlefield.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shevarim appears only once in Scripture, marking a specific breach where Israel’s line collapsed at Ai. This single term captures the suddenness of defeat and the vulnerability we feel when our defenses fail. It reminds us that even prepared hearts can fracture under pressure.
In Joshua 7:5, this breach becomes a turning point, shifting the story from confidence to fear. Yet, this moment of brokenness is not the end of God’s plan. It serves as a stark reminder that human strength alone cannot hold firm against overwhelming odds.
When our own lives feel like they are cracking under weight, we can look to this passage with honesty. We do not need to pretend our lines are unbreakable. Instead, we find hope in the God who walks through our failures and restores what was lost.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Shebarim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שְּׁבָרִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 7:5
The men of Ai struck about thirty-six men of them. They chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and struck them at the descent. The hearts of the people melted, and became like water.
This verse uses Shebarim as a geographic label for the exact point where Israel's defensive formation shattered, anchoring the narrative of their defeat to a specific location.