Lexical Summary siblah: Burden, load, suffering Original Word: סְבָלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burden From cebel; porterage -- burden. see HEBREW cebel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sabal Definition a burden NASB Translation burdens (2), hard labor (1), hard labors (1), labors (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סִבְלָה] noun feminine burden; — plural construct סִבְלֹת מִצְרַיִם Exodus 6:6 (P), of the heavy labours imposed on Israel by Egyptian, Exodus 6:7; suffix סִבְלֹתֵיכֶם Exodus 5:4 (J), סִבְלֹתָם Exodus 1:11; Exodus 5:5 (both J), Exodus 2:11 (E); (compare Psalm 81:7, סֵבֶל). Topical Lexicon Historical setting סְבָלָה surfaces exclusively in the opening drama of Exodus, when Pharaoh’s policy of oppression sought to crush the burgeoning nation of Israel. The six occurrences mark critical junctures in that narrative: the imposition of forced labor (Exodus 1:11), Moses’ awakening to Israel’s plight (Exodus 2:11), Pharaoh’s rebuke of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:4-5), and the Lord’s covenant promise of liberation (Exodus 6:6-7). Each text frames סְבָלָה as a tangible symbol of Egypt’s tyranny and God’s resolve to redeem. Semantic range and usage While commonly rendered “burdens” or “forced labor,” the term denotes more than physical toil. It encompasses the entire system of exploitation—construction quotas, harsh oversight, and psychological subjugation. In Exodus 1:11 the Egyptians “oppressed them with forced labor,” highlighting institutionalized slavery. By Exodus 6:6 the Lord vows, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,” turning the very word that epitomized bondage into a pledge of freedom. Covenantal and theological themes 1. Divine Compassion: Exodus 2:23-25 records that God “heard their groaning.” The repeated mention of סְבָלָה foregrounds the covenant-keeping character of the LORD who sees, hears, and remembers. Foreshadowing of redemptive deliverance The physical burdens of Egypt prefigure humanity’s spiritual bondage to sin. Just as Israel could not lighten its own load, so fallen mankind cannot self-liberate. The Exodus narrative anticipates the cross, where Christ declares, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Thus סְבָלָה functions typologically, preparing Scripture’s readers for the ultimate emancipation accomplished through the Lamb of God. Pastoral and ministry implications • Comfort for the Oppressed: The term assures believers that God notices every form of unjust burden and acts in His time. New Testament resonance Though סְבָלָה itself does not appear in the Greek Scriptures, its motif courses through passages such as Acts 13:17-19, where Paul retells the Exodus to highlight God’s faithfulness, and 1 Peter 2:24, which depicts Christ bearing our sins—our ultimate burden—on the tree. The Apostolic writers treat Israel’s release as both historical fact and gospel prototype. Conclusion סְבָלָה embodies the weight of oppression and the promise of deliverance. Within Exodus it chronicles Israel’s darkest affliction and God’s decisive intervention; within the canon it becomes a theological touchstone illustrating the Lord’s unchanging commitment to rescue His people—from Egypt, from exile, and finally from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם בסבלתם לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ לסבלתיכם׃ מִסִּבְלֹתָֽם׃ מסבלתם׃ סִבְל֥וֹת סִבְלֹ֣ת סבלות סבלת bə·siḇ·lō·ṯām bəsiḇlōṯām besivloTam lə·siḇ·lō·ṯê·ḵem ləsiḇlōṯêḵem lesivloteiChem mis·siḇ·lō·ṯām missiḇlōṯām missivloTam siḇ·lō·wṯ siḇ·lōṯ siḇlōṯ siḇlōwṯ sivLotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 1:11 HEB: לְמַ֥עַן עַנֹּת֖וֹ בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם וַיִּ֜בֶן עָרֵ֤י NAS: them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built KJV: to afflict them with their burdens. And they built INT: because of to afflict hard built cities Exodus 2:11 Exodus 5:4 Exodus 5:5 Exodus 6:6 Exodus 6:7 6 Occurrences |
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