Lexical Summary sebel: Burden, load, suffering Original Word: סֵבֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burden, charge From cabal; a load (literally or figuratively) -- burden, charge. see HEBREW cabal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sabal Definition a load, burden NASB Translation burden (1), burdens (1), forced labor (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֵ֫בֶל noun [masculine] load, burden; — absolute Nehemiah 4:11; Psalm 81:7 (enforced burden); construct id., = burdensome labour (of corvée) 1 Kings 11:28. — See also סַבָּל. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Imagery סֵבֶל portrays a tangible, weighty load carried on the back or shoulders. The word evokes scenes of baskets, packs, building materials, and even the abstract “load” of conscripted labor. In Scripture it can signify (1) literal cargo, (2) corvée or state-imposed work, and (3) oppressive hardship from which God delivers His people. The Hebrew root also underlies the verb “to bear” or “to carry,” deepening the picture of endurance under weight. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • 1 Kings 11:28 — Solomon appoints Jeroboam “over the whole labor force of the house of Joseph”. סֵבֶל here denotes the organized work crews that transported materials for royal construction. Historical Background Under Solomon the expanding monarchy required vast levies of workers (compare 1 Kings 5:13–18). While productive, the burden sparked discontent, later voiced to Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:4). Jeroboam’s promotion over the סֵבֶל foreshadows political rupture: a heavy yoke of forced labor can fracture national unity. In Nehemiah’s day the rubble of Jerusalem demanded human “pack animals.” Those “who carried סֵבֶל” form a living bridge between ruin and renewal, shouldering stones while guarding against attack. Their dual task illustrates faith that works and watches. Psalm 81 recalls the Exodus, where Israel’s shoulders were once bowed under brick-making quotas (Exodus 1:11–14). God’s removal of the סֵבֶל becomes a liturgy of freedom recited in later worship, reminding every generation that redemptive history begins with lifted weights. Theological Themes 1. Divine Deliverance: From Egypt to the Cross, Scripture presents God as the One who breaks yokes (Leviticus 26:13; Isaiah 10:27). Psalm 81:6 stands as a concise creed of salvation by grace—God does what enslaved hands cannot. Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral Care: Psalm 81:6 encourages preaching that directs the weary to God’s liberating power rather than to self-help. New Testament Resonance Galatians 6:2 urges, “Carry one another’s burdens,” echoing the Old Testament imagery of סֵבֶל yet transforming it into mutual, voluntary love. Peter exhorts believers to cast every anxiety on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7), fulfilling the Exodus pattern in personal experience. Ultimately, Christ shoulders the heaviest load—our sin—so that His people may walk upright, “yoked” to Him but never crushed. Summary סֵבֶל threads through Israel’s account as both a literal weight and a metaphor for hardship. Its three appearances sketch a gospel arc: imposed burden (1 Kings), persevering burden (Nehemiah), and removed burden (Psalm 81). Each scene points to the God who sees labor, commands justice, empowers service, and finally lifts every load through the redemptive work of His Son. Forms and Transliterations בַּסֶּ֖בֶל בסבל מִסֵּ֣בֶל מסבל סֵ֖בֶל סבל bas·se·ḇel basseḇel basSevel mis·sê·ḇel missêḇel misSevel sê·ḇel sêḇel SevelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 11:28 HEB: אֹת֔וֹ לְכָל־ סֵ֖בֶל בֵּ֥ית יוֹסֵֽף׃ NAS: him over all the forced labor of the house KJV: he made him ruler over all the charge of the house INT: appointed all the forced of the house of Joseph Nehemiah 4:17 Psalm 81:6 3 Occurrences |
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