Lexical Summary shabib: Flame, blaze Original Word: שָׁבִיב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance spark From the same as shabab; flame (as split into tongues) -- spark. see HEBREW shabab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition probably a flame NASB Translation flame (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁבִיב] noun masculine probably flame (Biblical Aramaic שְׁבִינ); — construct וְלֹא יִגַּהּ שְׁבִיב אִשּׁוֺ Job 18:5 ("" אוֺר); so Ecclus 8:10; Ecclus 45:19. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Context Job 18:5 is the sole appearance of שָׁבִיב. Bildad warns, “Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow”. The imagery heightens the judgment motif running through Job 18, portraying the wicked person’s seemingly bright future as a brief, dying flicker. Imagery and Symbolism 1. Transience: A flame is brilliant yet fragile; one gust ends it. The word therefore stresses impermanence, a theme echoed in Job 18:6–21. Historical Setting Ancient households depended on small clay lamps fueled by olive oil. A wavering wick meant impending darkness. Listeners in Job’s era would instantly grasp the terror of a house plunged into night—the fate Bildad pictures for the unrepentant. Theological Themes • Divine sovereignty: Only God controls the duration of every “flame” (Job 12:10). Canonical Connections – Old Testament: The “continual fire” on the altar (Leviticus 6:9) symbolizes unbroken fellowship, in stark contrast to the wicked’s dying spark. – Gospels: Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). In Him the believer’s lamp becomes inextinguishable (Matthew 5:14–16). – Epistles: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). The believer’s identity is permanently re-lit by Christ. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Evangelistic urgency: a godless life may appear luminous yet can be quenched without warning (Luke 12:16–21). Practical Reflection Examine personal “lamps” in light of Job 18:5. If built on self, they will darken; if kindled by the Spirit, they shine “ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18). Forms and Transliterations שְׁבִ֣יב שביב šə·ḇîḇ šəḇîḇ sheVivLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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