Hebrew · H7622

שְׁבוּת

Captivity names a condition of displacement or captured people, and restoration expressions can speak of a community's or person's changed fortunes. Numbers uses captivity within a song about Moab's exposure to Sihon.

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שְׁבוּתH7622
Pronunciationšəḇûṯ

What does שְׁבוּת (šəḇûṯ) mean in the Bible?

Reader summary

Full entry for שְׁבוּת (H7622) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does שְׁבוּת (šəḇûṯ) mean in the Bible?

Captivity names a condition of displacement or captured people, and restoration expressions can speak of a community's or person's changed fortunes. Numbers uses captivity within a song about Moab's exposure to Sihon.

How does the BSB render H7622?

The BSB source-word alignment has 32 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include from captivity (17), His captive (2), - (1), . . . (1), and (1).

Where does שְׁבוּת (šəḇûṯ) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Numbers 21:29. Its strongest book concentrations include Jeremiah (12), Ezekiel (7), Psalms (4), Zephaniah (2).

What This Word Actually Means

Captivity names a condition of displacement or captured people, and restoration expressions can speak of a community's or person's changed fortunes. Numbers uses captivity within a song about Moab's exposure to Sihon. Deuteronomy places restored fortunes within Israel's return to the Lord and His compassionate gathering of the dispersed. Jeremiah promises a return after the stated exile period, while Job records a particular restoration after his prayer for his friends.

Psalm 126 asks the Lord to restore fortunes, so the prayer itself keeps need and hope together. Ezekiel announces Egypt's return to its place of origin as a lowly kingdom, not renewed domination over other nations. These differing uses must stay visible. The noun and restoration phrase do not supply a timetable for an individual's prosperity, excuse the taking of captives, or explain every sufferer's circumstances through hidden guilt.

Sources