Lexical Summary sabak: To interweave, entwine, or entangle Original Word: סָבַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fold together, wrap A primitive root; to entwine -- fold together, wrap. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to interweave NASB Translation tangled (1), wrap around (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָבַךְ] verb interweave ("" form to שׂבך q. v.); — Qal Passive participle plural סִירִים סְבֻכִים Nahum 1:10 interwoven (entangled) thorns (compare Da); GunkZAW xiii (1893), 235 proposes (after ᵐ5 ᵑ7 Vollers) כְּסוּחִים i.e. cut off, away (Isaiah 33:12) compare Now; text very dubious Pu`al Imperfect3masculine plural עַלגַּֿל שָׁרָשָׁיו יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ Job 8:17 are interwoven (in a tangled mass). Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Semantics סָבַךְ evokes the picture of vines, roots, or thorns that have interlaced themselves into a dense, almost inseparable mass. The idea moves beyond mere contact; it is the enveloping grip of one thing upon another—an image that Scripture employs to highlight both apparent security and inescapable judgment. Occurrences in Scripture • Job 8:17: “Its roots wrap around a rock heap; it looks for a home among the stones.” Here, Bildad describes the wicked as a luxuriant plant whose roots “wrap around” stones. The verb underscores the deceptive stability of the ungodly: outward flourishing masks an unseen dependence on that which cannot truly sustain life. Literary and Theological Themes 1. False Security. In Job, the wrapping roots cling to stones—objects solid yet lifeless. Human self-reliance can appear robust while lacking true vitality. Historical Setting Job likely reflects patriarchal milieu, where agriculture supplied ready metaphors of roots probing for moisture among rocky soil. Nahum speaks into the late eighth or early seventh century BC, addressing Assyria’s capital. Thorn hedges were common fortifications around fields; their interwoven branches mirrored Nineveh’s political alliances and fortifications—impressive yet combustible. Intercanonical Echoes • Psalm 118:12 compares hostile nations to “thorns ablaze,” aligning with Nahum’s picture. Practical Applications for Ministry • Discernment of Foundations. Ministries may appear vigorous yet be rooted in cultural stone rather than living water; testing foundations against Scripture prevents deceptive flourishing. Devotional Reflection סָבַךְ reminds believers that what we entwine ourselves with determines our destiny. Clinging to Christ, the true Vine, brings enduring life (John 15:5). Entanglement in anything else—however secure it seems—ends in withering or burning. Forms and Transliterations יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ יסבכו סְבֻכִ֔ים סבכים sə·ḇu·ḵîm səḇuḵîm sevuChim yə·sub·bā·ḵū yesubBachu yəsubbāḵūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 8:17 HEB: גַּ֭ל שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ בֵּ֖ית אֲבָנִ֣ים NAS: His roots wrap around a rock pile, KJV: His roots are wrapped about the heap, INT: A rock his roots wrap A house of stones Nahum 1:10 2 Occurrences |
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