Original Word: שְׁבַח
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shbach
Pronunciation: sheh-bakh'
Phonetic Spelling: (sheb-akh')
KJV: praise
NASB: praised, praise
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H7623 (שָׁבַח - To praise)]

1. to adulate, i.e. adore

praise

(Aramaic) corresponding to shabach; to adulate, i.e. Adore -- praise.

see HEBREW shabach

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to shabach
Definition
to laud, praise
NASB Translation
praise (2), praised (3).

[שָׂחִיף] adjective ? doubtful (van d. H. שְׁחִיף; √ unknown); — construct שְׂחִיף עֵץ Ezekiel 41:16 usually panelled, wainscotted, with wood; or

noun a wainscot of wood, but Co חִמּוּי, Toy חָפוּי (construct חֲפוּי).

[שְׁבַח] verb Pa`el laud, praise (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew II. שׁבח (Aramaism)); — Perfect2masculine singular שַׁבַּ֑חְךְָ Daniel 5:23, 1singular שַׁבְּחֵת Daniel 4:31, 3masculine plural שַׁבַּ֫חוּ Daniel 5:4; Participle active מְשַׁבַּח Daniel 2:23; Daniel 4:34; — paise, with ל dei Daniel 2:23; Daniel 4:31; Daniel 4:34; ל of idols Daniel 5:4,23.

Meaning and Theme

שְׁבַח (shevach) denotes commendation, laudation, or praise offered to a superior. Within Daniel it refers exclusively to vocal or written exaltation directed either to the God of Israel or, in ironic contrast, to pagan idols. The word consistently underscores the rightful recognition of sovereign authority.

Occurrences in Daniel

• Daniel 2:23 – Following revelation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel blesses God: “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise”.
• Daniel 4:34 – After his season of madness, Nebuchadnezzar “lifted [his] eyes to heaven” and “praised the Most High.”
• Daniel 4:37 – The king repeats his confession: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven.”
• Daniel 5:4 – Belshazzar’s guests “praised the gods of gold and silver” while desecrating the vessels of the temple.
• Daniel 5:23 – Daniel indicts Belshazzar: “You have praised the gods of silver and gold… but you have not glorified the God who holds in His hand your very breath.”

Historical Setting

The term appears in the Aramaic section of Daniel (Daniel 2:4b–7:28), written for a Jewish audience living under Gentile domination. Praise becomes a marker of allegiance: the exiles vindicate the true God; the Gentile monarchs either repentantly praise Him (Nebuchadnezzar) or defiantly laud idols (Belshazzar). Thus shevach functions as a litmus test of spiritual posture during the exile.

Theology of Praise in Exile

1. Recognition of Sovereignty – Genuine praise springs from acknowledging that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:32).
2. Humility and Repentance – Nebuchadnezzar’s shevach follows personal humiliation, illustrating that authentic exaltation of God is inseparable from contrition.
3. Judgment on Idolatry – False praise, as at Belshazzar’s feast, invites swift judgment; the same night the Babylonian empire fell (Daniel 5:30).
4. Witness to the Nations – Daniel’s own praise (Daniel 2:23) models steadfast devotion and becomes a testimony that influences pagan rulers.

Ministry Significance for Believers

• Cultivate a lifestyle of shevach that begins in private prayer (Daniel 2:23) and extends into public confession (Daniel 4:37).
• Use praise as spiritual warfare; Daniel’s blessing of God precedes revelation and victory.
• Guard against misplaced praise—modern equivalents of gold and silver idols include wealth, power, and culture.
• Teach that praise aligns the believer with God’s purposes in times of cultural exile, sustaining faith and providing a counter-culture witness.

Christological Fulfillment

Just as Daniel’s God is exalted over earthly kings, Jesus Christ receives universal shevach: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess” (Philippians 2:10-11). Daniel’s scenes anticipate the final doxology rendered to the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12-13).

Key Takeaways

Shevach is not mere liturgical formality; it is the authentic response of hearts that recognize God’s unrivaled dominion. In a world of competing allegiances, true praise distinguishes the faithful, humbles the proud, and proclaims the everlasting kingdom.

וְ֠שַׁבַּחוּ וּמְשַׁבַּח֙ ומשבח ושבחו מְשַׁבַּ֨ח משבח שַׁבְּחֵ֣ת שַׁבַּ֑חְתָּ שבחת mə·šab·baḥ məšabbaḥ meshabBach šab·baḥ·tā šab·bə·ḥêṯ šabbaḥtā šabbəḥêṯ shabBachta shabbeChet ū·mə·šab·baḥ ūməšabbaḥ umeshabBach Veshabbachu wə·šab·ba·ḥū wəšabbaḥūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts