Original Word: שָׂבַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sabar
Pronunciation: sah-bar'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-bar')
KJV: hope, tarry, view, wait
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to scrutinize
2. (by implication, of watching) to expect (with hope and patience)

hope, tarry, view, wait

Erroneously shabar (Nehemiah 2:13, Nehemiah 2:15) {shaw-bar'}; a primitive root; to scrutinize; by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience) -- hope, tarry, view, wait.

see HEBREW 'abeh

I. [שָׂבַר] verb inspect, examine (van d. H. שֹׁבֵר [so ᵐ5 συντρίβων], but Masoretic ׳שׂ see Norzi; hence connection with Arabic probe a wound, try, examine, improbable, and this (according to Frä²⁶¹) denominative from Aramaic loan-word; improbable also is connection with Aramaic סְבַר think (compare following), Kau^{Aramaic in AT, 85}); —

Qal Participle שׂבֵר, with ב object, Nehemiah 2:13,15 I examined into the wall, inspected it closely.

II. [שָׂבַר] Pi`el wait, hope (Aramaism; compare Aramaic סְבַר think, Pa`el hope; believe, hope, Pa`el think, Aph`el hope); — Perfect1singular שִׂבַּרְתִּי Psalm 119:166, 3plural שִׂבְּרוּ Esther 9:1; Imperfect3masculine plural יְשַׂבְּרוּ Isaiah 38:18, יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ Psalm 145:15, יְשַׂבֵּר֑וּן Psalm 104:27; 2feminine plural תְּשַׂבֵּרְנָה Ruth 1:13; —

1 wait for, ל person, Ruth 1:13.

2 hope for, ל of thing Psalm 119:166, אֶל of thing Isaiah 38:18, אֶל person Psalm 104:27; Psalm 145:15; ל infinitive Esther 9:1 hope to rule.

שָׂבַר (Strong’s 7663)

Conceptual Range

The verb conveys intensive looking that grows into confident expectation. It can describe physical scrutiny (as when a wall is carefully surveyed) or the inward posture of patient hope directed toward God. The movement is always from sight to trust.

Occurrences and Contexts

1. Ruth 1:13 – Naomi asks whether her daughters-in-law will “wait until they were grown,” portraying the futility of pinning one’s future on an uncertain prospect.
2. Nehemiah 2:13; 2:15 – Nehemiah “inspected the walls of Jerusalem” under cover of night. The term emphasizes deliberate investigation before undertaking the rebuilding work.
3. Esther 9:1 – The enemies of the Jews “had hoped to overpower them,” but their anticipation is overturned, displaying the vanity of confidence set against God’s purposes.
4. Psalm 104:27; 145:15 – “All creatures look to You,” and “The eyes of all look to You,” an ecological panorama of the creation’s dependence on the Creator for daily provision.
5. Psalm 119:166 – “I wait for Your salvation, O LORD,” the psalmist coupling expectant hope with obedient living.
6. Isaiah 38:18 – Hezekiah reflects that those in Sheol “cannot hope for Your faithfulness,” underscoring that true expectancy belongs to the living who praise God.

Expectant Waiting on the LORD

In the Psalms the verb paints a universal portrait: everything that has breath looks to God. The gaze is born of need but rests in certainty: God provides “food in due season” (Psalm 145:15). The same word appears in Psalm 119:166 where personal salvation, not merely daily bread, is in view. Hope is anchored to covenant faithfulness; therefore it is never wishful thinking but settled assurance.

Hope Disappointed for the Wicked

Esther 9:1 sets up a dramatic reversal. The same hopeful anticipation that sustains the righteous becomes the undoing of the ungodly when it is detached from God’s will. Scripture thereby distinguishes between faith-filled expectancy and presumptuous optimism.

Diligent Inspection

Nehemiah’s nighttime reconnaissance illustrates a secondary nuance: careful examination before action. Spiritually, the principle encourages thorough assessment of one’s circumstances and resources while remaining reliant on divine guidance. Ministry planning patterned after Nehemiah’s example marries realism with faith.

Historical Considerations

Ruth unfolds in the era of the judges, a time of social instability. The verb exposes the vulnerability of widows who must “wait” for provision. Nehemiah appears during the post-exilic restoration, while Esther records events in Persia’s vast empire. Each setting testifies that hope in God transcends political boundaries and historical crises.

Theological Themes

• Divine Provision: Creation’s constant dependence (Psalms 104; 145).
• Salvation Hope: Personal deliverance anticipated and ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah (Psalm 119; Isaiah 38).
• Reversal of Fortune: Human expectations thwarted or fulfilled according to divine sovereignty (Esther 9).
• Discernment and Planning: God-honoring leadership requires both inspection and inspiration (Nehemiah 2).

Canonical Connections

The New Testament equivalent idea is captured by ἐλπίζω (to hope). Romans 8:24-25 echoes the motif: “But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” The continuity of theme underscores the Bible’s unified witness to expectant faith.

Ministry Application

• Cultivate a posture of looking to God for daily sustenance and ultimate salvation.
• Encourage believers to distinguish between presumption and God-centered hope.
• Emulate Nehemiah’s balance of prayerful reliance and practical evaluation in church leadership.
• Teach that creation’s dependence points to humanity’s deeper need for redemption, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

יְשַׂבְּר֥וּ יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ יְשַׂבֵּר֑וּן ישברו ישברון שִׂבְּר֜וּ שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי שֹׂבֵ֖ר שֹׂבֵ֜ר שבר שברו שברתי תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה תשברנה śib·bar·tî śib·bə·rū sibBarti śibbartî sibbeRu śibbərū śō·ḇêr śōḇêr soVer tə·śab·bê·rə·nāh tesabBerenah təśabbêrənāh yə·śab·bê·rū yə·śab·bə·rū yə·śab·bê·rūn yesabBeru yəśabbêrū yəśabbərū yesabbeRun yəśabbêrūnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts