Original Word: שָׂבַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sabar
Pronunciation: sah-bar'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-bar')
Definition: To hope, to wait, to expect
Meaning: to scrutinize, to expect

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often associated with the concept of hope and expectation is ἐλπίζω (elpizō), Strong's Greek #1679, which means to hope or to trust.

Usage: The Hebrew verb "sabar" primarily conveys the idea of looking forward with expectation or hope. It is often used in contexts where there is an anticipation of something good or a positive outcome. This term is closely associated with faith and trust in God's promises, reflecting a posture of waiting with confidence and assurance.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of hope was deeply intertwined with faith in God. The Israelites often found themselves in situations requiring patience and trust in God's deliverance, whether in times of exile, oppression, or personal trials. "Sabar" captures this essence of hopeful waiting, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The agrarian society of ancient Israel also understood waiting in terms of agricultural cycles, where patience was necessary for the harvest.

I. [שָׂבַר] verb inspect, examine (van d. H. שֹׁבֵר [so ᵐ5 συντρίβων], but Masoretic ׳שׂ see Norzi; hence connection with Arabic probe a wound, try, examine, improbable, and this (according to Frä²⁶¹) denominative from Aramaic loan-word; improbable also is connection with Aramaic סְבַר think (compare following), Kau^{Aramaic in AT, 85}); —

Qal Participle שׂבֵר, with ב object, Nehemiah 2:13,15 I examined into the wall, inspected it closely.

II. [שָׂבַר] Pi`el wait, hope (Aramaism; compare Aramaic סְבַר think, Pa`el hope; believe, hope, Pa`el think, Aph`el hope); — Perfect1singular שִׂבַּרְתִּי Psalm 119:166, 3plural שִׂבְּרוּ Esther 9:1; Imperfect3masculine plural יְשַׂבְּרוּ Isaiah 38:18, יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ Psalm 145:15, יְשַׂבֵּר֑וּן Psalm 104:27; 2feminine plural תְּשַׂבֵּרְנָה Ruth 1:13; —

1 wait for, ל person, Ruth 1:13.

2 hope for, ל of thing Psalm 119:166, אֶל of thing Isaiah 38:18, אֶל person Psalm 104:27; Psalm 145:15; ל infinitive Esther 9:1 hope to rule.

hope, tarry, view, wait

Erroneously shabar (Nehemiah 2:13, Nehemiah 2:15) {shaw-bar'}; a primitive root; to scrutinize; by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience) -- hope, tarry, view, wait.

see HEBREW 'abeh

יְשַׂבְּר֥וּ יְשַׂבֵּ֑רוּ יְשַׂבֵּר֑וּן ישברו ישברון שִׂבְּר֜וּ שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי שֹׂבֵ֖ר שֹׂבֵ֜ר שבר שברו שברתי תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה תשברנה śib·bar·tî śib·bə·rū sibBarti śibbartî sibbeRu śibbərū śō·ḇêr śōḇêr soVer tə·śab·bê·rə·nāh tesabBerenah təśabbêrənāh yə·śab·bê·rū yə·śab·bə·rū yə·śab·bê·rūn yesabBeru yəśabbêrū yəśabbərū yesabbeRun yəśabbêrūnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts