שָׂגַב
𐤔𐤂𐤁
sâgab
H7682 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to be set in a high or elevated place, particularly in a manner that confers protection, inaccessibility, or security; by extension, to be exalted or considered lofty, whether physically (elevated structures or persons) or figuratively (in moral, social, or spiritual sense). The word can denote making something inaccessible for safety, referring to securing someone or something in a location that is difficult to approach. In certain contexts, it carries the idea of being 'lifted above' in terms of honor, status, or power.
Semantic Range
to be set on high, to be inaccessible, to be made secure, to be protected, to be exalted/honored, to be too strong (to overcome), to defend, to raise in status
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂגב, which carries the basic meaning of 'to be high, raised, or exalted.' The verb form שָׂגַב (sâgab) develops this sense into the idea of being placed in a physically elevated, prominent, or inaccessible location, thereby implying security or protection derived from height or remoteness. The transition to figurative meanings (exaltation, honor) follows the ancient Near Eastern idiom of height as a metaphor for value or status.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שָׂגַב is used both of physical elevation (e.g., setting up strong towers, in which protection is afforded by height or inaccessibility, as seen in Psalms and Proverbs) and of exaltation or securing someone in a place of honor or safety. Especially prominent in poetic and wisdom literature, where God is described as making the 'righteous' or the 'faithful' inaccessible to harm, or as 'raising' His people above enemies. The sense of superiority or excellence arises from the ancient cultural association of physical height with strength and honor. While English translations might render this as 'exalt,' 'defend,' 'protect,' or 'make safe,' the underlying image centers on unreachability due to elevated status or placement. Compared to related roots like רום ('to be high, exalt, lift up'), שׂגב is more strongly associated with inaccessibility and security than mere elevation or praise. Usage spans both literal (military, physical protection) and abstract (status, spiritual protection) senses, without clear chronological shift but often with nuanced emphasis depending on context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively; defend, exalt, be excellent, (be, set on) high, lofty, be safe, set up (on high), be too strong.
Bantu Hebrew
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שׂגב (s-g-b) — height, inaccessibility, security, exaltation
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7682-02 |
נִשְׂגָּ֖ב | nisegav | HVNrmsa |
is exalted | one set on high | 3 |
H7682-09 |
וְ/נִשְׂגַּ֧ב | venisegav | HC/VNq3ms |
and is safe | and he was set on high | 3 |
H7682-03 |
נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה | nisegavah | HVNrfsa |
high | she set on high | 3 |
H7682-07 |
תְּשַׂגְּבֵֽ/נִי | tesageveni | HVpi2ms/Sp1cs |
exalt me | you set me on high | 2 |
H7682-08 |
וַ/יְשַׂגֵּ֧ב | vayesagev | HC/Vpw3ms |
and he set on high | and he set securely on high | 2 |
H7682-12 |
יְשֻׂגָּֽב | yesugav | HVPi3ms |
will be exalted | he will be set high | 1 |
H7682-10 |
יַשְׂגִּ֣יב | yasegiv | HVhi3ms |
exalts | he will set on high | 1 |
H7682-11 |
יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְ/ךָ֗ | yesagevekha | HVpi3ms/Sp2ms |
set you on high | he will set you on high | 1 |
H7682-05 |
שָׂגְבָ֖ה | sagevah | HVqp3fs |
too high | she was set high | 1 |
H7682-01 |
אֲ֝שַׂגְּבֵ֗/הוּ | asagevehu | HVpi1cs/Sp3ms |
I will set him on high | I will set him high and secure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7682-05 |
Deuteronomy 2:36 | שָׂגְבָ֖ה | sagevah | HVqp3fs |
too high | she was set high |
H7682-09 |
Isaiah 2:11 | וְ/נִשְׂגַּ֧ב | venisegav | HC/VNq3ms |
and will be exalted | and he was set on high |
H7682-09 |
Isaiah 2:17 | וְ/נִשְׂגַּ֧ב | venisegav | HC/VNq3ms |
and shall be exalted | and he was set on high |
H7682-08 |
Isaiah 9:10 | וַ/יְשַׂגֵּ֧ב | vayesagev | HC/Vpw3ms |
And strengthened | and he set securely on high |
H7682-02 |
Isaiah 12:4 | נִשְׂגָּ֖ב | nisegav | HVNrmsa |
is exalted | one set on high |
H7682-03 |
Isaiah 26:5 | נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה | nisegavah | HVNrfsa |
the exalted | she set on high |
H7682-03 |
Isaiah 30:13 | נִשְׂגָּבָ֑ה | nisegavah | HVNrfsa |
high | she set on high |
H7682-02 |
Isaiah 33:5 | נִשְׂגָּ֣ב | nisegav | HVNrmsa |
is exalted | one set on high |
H7682-11 |
Psalms 20:2 | יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְ/ךָ֗ | yesagevekha | HVpi3ms/Sp2ms |
set you on high | he will set you on high |
H7682-07 |
Psalms 59:2 | תְּשַׂגְּבֵֽ/נִי | tesageveni | HVpi2ms/Sp1cs |
set me on high | you set me on high |