Lexical Summary sabea: Satisfied, full, sated Original Word: שָׂבֵעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance full of, satisfied with From saba'; satiated (in a pleasant or disagreeable sense) -- full (of), satisfied (with). see HEBREW saba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom saba Definition sated, satisfied, surfeited NASB Translation full (4), ripe (1), sated (2), satisfied (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שָׂבֵעַ adjective sated, satisfied, surfeited; — absolute ׳שׂ Genesis 25:8; Proverbs 19:23; construct שְׂבַע Deuteronomy 33:23 +; feminine singular שְׂבֵעָה Proverbs 27:7; masculine plural שְׂבֵעִים 1 Samuel 2:5; — 1. a. sated with food, with בַּלֶּחֶם 1 Samuel 2:5; נֶפֶשׁ שְׂבֵעָה Proverbs 27:7 (opposed to רְעֵבָה ׳נ ); abounding in ׳יs favour (שְׂבַע רָצוֺן) Deuteronomy 33:23 ("" מָלֵא); absolute satisfied Proverbs 19:23. b. in phrase שְׂבַע יָמִים satisfied with days, in a good old age, Genesis 35:29 (P), Job 42:17 (both + זָקֵן), 1 Chronicles 29:28 (+ בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֺבָה), also absolute שָׂבֵ֑עַ Genesis 25:8 (P; + id. + זָקֵן) 2 bad sense, surfeited with trouble etc.: שְׂבַע רֹגֶז Job 14:1, קָלוֺן ׳שׂ Job 10:15. Topical Lexicon Overview of שָׂבֵעַStrong’s Hebrew 7649 portrays the state of being filled or satisfied, whether in body, soul, or span of days. Across its eight occurrences the term consistently marks a divinely granted contentment rather than a self-generated achievement. The contexts range from patriarchal obituaries to wisdom sayings, knitting together narrative, poetic, and prophetic strands around one theme: only what God supplies truly satisfies. Distribution in Scripture Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29; Deuteronomy 33:23; 1 Samuel 2:5; 1 Chronicles 29:28; Job 42:17; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 27:7. Five texts belong to historical narrative, one to the blessing of Moses, and two to wisdom literature. This spread underscores that divine satisfaction is not confined to one genre or era but permeates the whole counsel of God. Satisfaction as Covenant Fulfilment In Genesis 25:8 and Genesis 35:29 the word characterizes the deaths of Abraham and Isaac. “Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years” (Genesis 25:8). Their “fullness” signals that the covenant promises—land, seed, and blessing—were already being tasted in their earthly pilgrimage. Far from mere longevity, the term celebrates a life rounded out by God’s faithfulness; the patriarchs depart knowing the promises are secure for their offspring. Full of Days, Riches, and Honor 1 Chronicles 29:28 records the same verdict for David: “He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor.” Here שָׂבֵעַ links physical length of life with material prosperity and public esteem. The Chronicler presents David’s fullness as a model for a restored post-exilic community: covenant loyalty yields comprehensive well-being. Job 42:17 repeats the refrain: “And so Job died, old and full of years.” After intense suffering Job’s restoration culminates in the identical assessment reserved for the patriarchs, reinforcing that the God who wounds also heals and satisfies. Blessed Abundance for a Tribe Deuteronomy 33:23 extends the idea from individuals to an entire tribe: “Naphtali, abounding with favor and full of the blessing of the LORD.” The land‐grant language (“take possession of the sea and the south”) shows that the tribe’s satisfaction will be geographical, social, and spiritual. The promise anticipates the settled prosperity of Israel in the land. Contrasts between Fullness and Want Hannah’s song illustrates reversal: “Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but the hungry hunger no more” (1 Samuel 2:5). שָׂבֵעַ denotes the complacent rich who suddenly feel want. Theologically, God upends human expectations; fullness apart from Him is fragile. Proverbs 27:7 echoes the contrast in the arena of appetite: “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.” The verse warns against spiritual dullness that arises when legitimate desires are met yet gratitude fades. True satisfaction should deepen worship, not breed indifference. Contentment through the Fear of the LORD Proverbs 19:23 distills the doctrine of satisfaction into a single maxim: “The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.” Here שָׂבֵעַ links reverence for God with settled security. The verse moves the concept beyond material or temporal categories to the sphere of inner repose. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Funeral ministry: The repeated epitaph “old and full of years” provides a biblical pattern for celebrating a believer’s life—measuring success by faithfulness and divine grace rather than mere achievements. 2. Counseling and discipleship: Proverbs 19:23 and 27:7 supply diagnostic tools. Restlessness may indicate misplaced fear or appetites; cultivating the fear of the Lord restores contentment. 3. Stewardship teaching: David’s fullness of riches and honor (1 Chronicles 29:28) is framed by his lavish generosity for the temple (1 Chronicles 29:2–5). Satisfaction includes the capacity to give. 4. Mission and social compassion: Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:5) reminds the church that the Lord overturns economic and social disparities. Ministry to the needy partners with God’s agenda of filling the hungry. Eschatological Trajectory The Old Testament leaves the theme open-ended, pointing toward an ultimate satisfaction. Isaiah speaks of a coming banquet (Isaiah 25:6); Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The final vision in Revelation 7:16—“Never again will they hunger”—completes the arc. The temporal fullness experienced by Abraham, David, and Job foreshadows the eternal satiation found in Christ. Summary שָׂבֵעַ unites history, wisdom, and prophecy in declaring that God alone fills life with meaning, provision, and peace. Whether in patriarchal longevity, tribal blessing, poetic reversal, or sage counsel, Scripture testifies that genuine satisfaction flows from covenant relationship with the LORD and anticipates its perfect consummation in His eternal kingdom. Forms and Transliterations בעה וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וְשָׂבֵ֥עַ וּשְׂבַ֣ע וּשְׂבַ֥ע ושבע שְׂ֭בֵעָה שְׂבֵעִ֤ים שְׂבַ֣ע שְׂבַ֥ע שבע שבעים ḇê‘āh ḇê·‘āh śə·ḇa‘ śə·ḇê·‘îm śəḇa‘ śəḇê‘îm seVa seveIm ū·śə·ḇa‘ ūśəḇa‘ useVa veah vesaVea wə·śā·ḇê·a‘ wəśāḇêa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:8 HEB: טוֹבָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־ NAS: an old man and satisfied [with life]; and he was gathered KJV: an old man, and full [of years]; and was gathered INT: A ripe an old and satisfied was gathered to his Genesis 35:29 Deuteronomy 33:23 1 Samuel 2:5 1 Chronicles 29:28 Job 42:17 Proverbs 19:23 Proverbs 27:7 8 Occurrences |
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