Lexical Summary Shebai: Shebai Original Word: שְׁבָאִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sabean Patronymic from Shba'; a Shebaite or descendant of Sheba -- Sabean. see HEBREW Shba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Sheba Definition desc. of Sheba NASB Translation Sabeans (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁבָאִי adjective, of a people only plural as substantive, לִשְׁבָאִים (Baer Ginsb שְׁבָא֯יִם) Joel 4:8 ("" אֶלאגּוֺי רָחוֺק, compare Jeremiah 6:20 above), > ᵐ5 Me Now לַשְּׁבִי into captivity. I. שׁבב (Late Hebrew שָׁבַב Pi`el hew; Arabic Topical Lexicon Identity and Etymology The term designates a member of the ancient people of Sheba—a trading nation situated at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, across the Red Sea from East Africa. In Scripture they are renowned for commercial prowess, opulent wealth, and geographic remoteness, making them a fitting symbol of “the ends of the earth.” Although several ancestral lines named Sheba appear in Genesis, the group addressed by Joel almost certainly belongs to the South-Arabian kingdom that dominated the incense routes between Arabia, Africa, and the Mediterranean world. Historical and Geographical Background Archaeological and extra-biblical records locate Sheba’s heartland in what is now Yemen, with colonies extending into present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. Their culture flourished through caravan trade in frankincense, myrrh, spices, gold, and precious stones. Monumental inscriptions speak of a highly organized monarchy, sophisticated irrigation, and temple complexes dedicated to astral deities—features that parallel the biblical picture of a wealthy, cosmopolitan power (compare the Queen of Sheba’s visit, 1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9). Role in the Old Testament Economy Sheba’s strategic position made its merchants indispensable to Near-Eastern commerce. Ezekiel describes their role in Tyre’s global marketplace (Ezekiel 27:22-23). Isaiah envisions them bringing gold and frankincense in homage to Zion’s restored glory (Isaiah 60:6). Such passages confirm the Sabeans as archetypal long-distance traders whose wealth ultimately serves God’s redemptive purposes. Joel 3:8—Prophetic Reversal of Captivity Joel proclaims divine recompense upon the nations that plundered Judah: “I will sell your sons and daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant nation, for the LORD has spoken” (Joel 3:8). Here the Sabeans function as an emblem of extreme remoteness and purchasing power. The prophecy dramatizes a complete reversal: those who exiled Judah will themselves be exiled beyond the farthest commercial horizon known to the prophet’s audience. The mention underscores three themes: 1. The universality of the LORD’s sovereignty—His justice reaches nations both near and far. Connections to Wider Biblical Theology • Judgment and Mercy: As in Isaiah 45:14, where Sabeans “bow down” before Israel, Joel’s oracle anticipates the eventual subjugation—and possible inclusion—of all nations under Messiah’s reign. Ministry Implications 1. Confidence in Divine Justice—Believers may rest assured that God rights every wrong, however delayed or distant the process may appear. Key References for Further Study Joel 3:1-8; 1 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chronicles 9:1-9; Isaiah 45:14; Isaiah 60:6; Ezekiel 27:22-23; Job 1:15; Matthew 2:1-12. Forms and Transliterations לִשְׁבָאיִ֖ם לשבאים liš·ḇā·yim lišḇāyim lishvaYimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joel 3:8 HEB: יְהוּדָ֔ה וּמְכָר֥וּם לִשְׁבָאיִ֖ם אֶל־ גּ֣וֹי NAS: and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant KJV: and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people INT: of Judah will sell to the Sabeans about nation 1 Occurrence |
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cut, Aramaic (Talmud) שִׁבָּא splinter, of Mandean diminutive שאבוניא NöM 140).