Lexical Summary sheba': Seven Original Word: שֶׁבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sheba The same as sheba'; seven; Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites -- Sheba. see HEBREW sheba' Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שֶׁ֫בַע proper name, masculine 1 in Benjamin, בֶּןבִּֿכְרִי 2 Samuel 20:1,2,6,7,10,13,21,22; Σαβεε 2 in Gad 1 Chronicles 5:13; Σεβεε, A Σωβαθε, ᵐ5L Σαβεε. III. שֶׁבַע si vera lectio proper name, of a location in Simeon, בְּאֵרשֶֿׁבֶע וְשֶׁבַע Joshua 19:2; Σαμαα, ᵐ5L Σαβε; probably strike out ׳וְשׁ Di and others (omit "" 1 Chronicles 4:23). — ׳בְּאֵר שׁ. שֶׁבַע see in compounds אֱלִישֶׁבַע, (בַּתשֶֿׁבַע), יְהוֺשֶׁבַע. Topical Lexicon Overview Sheba (שֶׁבַע, Strong’s 7652) appears ten times in the Old Testament, designating three distinct subjects: (1) a town allotted to Simeon, (2) the rebel Sheba son of Bichri, and (3) a clan figure in the eastern tribes. Although sharing spelling with the numeral “seven” and the word for “oath,” Scripture consistently treats each occurrence in its historical setting, reinforcing the unity of the narrative record. The Simeonite Settlement: Sheba of the Negev Joshua 19:2 lists “Beersheba (Sheba), Moladah” among the southern towns within Simeon’s inheritance. Located in the arid Negev, this settlement complements Beersheba’s larger oasis. The parenthetical placement suggests either a twin–town relationship or an alternate local name. Its inclusion underscores the Lord’s provision for every tribe, even those whose lots lay in harsher regions, fulfilling the promise that “the land had rest from war” (Joshua 21:44–45). Modern archaeology identifies multiple Iron-Age ruins around Beersheba; the smaller site of Tell es-Sebaʿ is often linked to this verse. Sheba Son of Bichri: Rebellion against the House of David 1. The Spark of Revolt (2 Samuel 20:1–2) “Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, … blew the horn and proclaimed, ‘We have no portion in David…’ ”. Exploiting post-Absalom tensions, Sheba calls the northern tribes to abandon Davidic rule. His rally cry echoes the schismatic spirit later voiced in 1 Kings 12:16, illustrating how seeds of discontent can resurface across generations. 2. Royal Response (20:6–7) David discerns the threat: “Now Sheba … will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him”. The king entrusts the chase to Abishai; yet Joab soon reasserts command, revealing ongoing friction within Judah’s leadership. 3. The Pursuit and Joab’s Violence (20:10, 13) Amasa’s murder by Joab removes a potential rival and reminds readers that human ambition can jeopardize covenant order even among the faithful. 4. The Siege of Abel Beth-maacah and Outcome (20:21–22) A wise woman negotiates: “His head will be thrown to you over the wall”. The city’s inhabitants execute Sheba, ending the revolt without wholesale bloodshed. The episode highlights: A Clan Name in the Gadite Genealogy 1 Chronicles 5:13 records: “Their kinsmen … were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all”. Here Sheba designates a family head east of the Jordan. The Chronicler’s meticulous catalog affirms the Lord’s remembrance of even lesser-known households and ties the Transjordan tribes firmly to Israel’s covenant story. Theological Observations • Covenant Fidelity versus Factionalism The Simeonite town quietly testifies to God’s kept promises, whereas Sheba son of Bichri embodies the peril of rejecting the Lord’s chosen king. The juxtaposition invites reflection on the blessings of submission versus the ruin of insurrection. • Divine Sovereignty over Human Schemes Despite Joab’s rough justice and Sheba’s treachery, the kingdom remains intact. The narrative reinforces Psalm 33:10–11: “The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations… but the plans of the LORD stand firm forever”. • The Role of Godly Wisdom The unnamed woman of Abel Beth-maacah exemplifies Proverbs 12:18, turning potential slaughter into peace through prudent words. Her courage foreshadows the New Testament charge to believers to be “peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Applications for Ministry 1. Guard the unity of the body. Like Sheba’s horn blast, dissent can sound plausible yet prove destructive (Ephesians 4:3). Discern motives and address division promptly. Forms and Transliterations וְ֠שֶׁבַע וְשֶׁ֖בַע ושבע שֶׁ֣בַע שֶׁ֤בַע שֶׁ֥בַע שֶׁ֧בַע שבע še·ḇa‘ šeḇa‘ Sheva veSheva wə·še·ḇa‘ wəšeḇa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:2 HEB: בְּאֵֽר־ שֶׁ֥בַע וְשֶׁ֖בַע וּמוֹלָדָֽה׃ NAS: Beersheba or Sheba and Moladah, KJV: Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah, INT: as their inheritance Beersheba Sheba and Moladah 2 Samuel 20:1 2 Samuel 20:2 2 Samuel 20:6 2 Samuel 20:7 2 Samuel 20:10 2 Samuel 20:13 2 Samuel 20:21 2 Samuel 20:22 1 Chronicles 5:13 10 Occurrences |
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