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מֵסַב

𐤌𐤎𐤁

mêçab

H4524 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A seating arrangement or couch (typically a divan or reclining platform) that encircles or borders a space, often around a table for communal eating or feasting; in some contexts, also an adverbial sense of surrounding or encompassing, signifying 'round about' or 'encompassing.'

Semantic Range

reclining couch, divan, seating arrangement enclosing a table, place for reclining at a feast, platform that surrounds, (abstractly) in a circle, round about, those sitting around (a table)

Root / Etymology

Root סבב (s-b-b), meaning 'to turn, go around, surround.' מֵסַב (mêsab) is a noun formation from this root, indicating 'that which surrounds' or 'encircling platform.' The word is derived specifically as a place or structure intended for reclining or sitting around, especially in banqueting or festive contexts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical texts, מֵסַב refers primarily to a shaped arrangement for reclining, typically associated with feasting or hospitality, especially in royal or elite settings (cf. 1 Samuel 16:11; Amos 6:7). Such seating reflected social status and the communal character of meals. The shift from earlier Israelite practice (where seated eating was common) to reclining (more typical of later monarchic and post-exilic periods, influenced by surrounding cultures) is reflected in texts where מֵסַב is used. English translations such as 'round about' or 'those who sat at the table' sometimes obscure the specific architectural or social meaning of the term. The masculine plural מְסִבִּים and feminine plural מְסִבּוֹת reflect the patterning or multiple arrangements of such couches. In later periods, especially in Second Temple and Hellenistic-Roman contexts, such seating became typical for banqueting. There is some overlap with terms like סָבִיב ('around, surrounding'), but מֵסַב always retains the sense of a physical or spatial arrangement.

Translation Consistency

primary "couch" 2 occurrences

Couch is a natural, common noun that conveys the sense of a reclining divan or seating used at feasts and around a table. It is concise and flexible enough to cover the concrete meaning (reclining couch/divan) and the figurative/collective senses (those sitting around, a seating arrangement) without sounding overly technical or archaic.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"all around" (1x) "ones surrounding" (1x) "encirclings" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

plural masculine מְסִבִּים; or feminine מְסִבּוֹת; from סָבַב; a divan (as enclosing the room); abstractly (adverbial) around; that compass about, (place) round about, at table.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סבב (s-b-b) — turn, surround, encompass

Root סבב to turn, surround, encompass
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4036 מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב from around
H4141 מוּסָב encircling structure of
H4142 מוּסַבָּה turned-around ones of
H5252 נְסִבָּה turning circumstance
H5437 סָבַב cause yourself to turn

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4524-02 מֵסַ֣ב mesav HNcbsa all around encircling couch all around 1
H4524-04 מְסִבּ֨וֹת mesibot HNcbpa turning around encircling couches encirclings 1
H4524-05 וּ/מְסִבֵּ֖י umesibey HC/Ncbpc and surrounding and encircling couches of and encircling couches of 1
H4524-01 בִּ/מְסִבּ֔/וֹ bimesibo HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms at his table at his encircling couch at his encircling couch 1
H4524-03 מְסִבָּ֑/י mesibay HVhrmpc/Sp1cs who surround me the ones surrounding me the ones surrounding me 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4524-02 1 Kings 6:29 מֵסַ֣ב mesav HNcbsa all around encircling couch all around
H4524-05 2 Kings 23:5 וּ/מְסִבֵּ֖י umesibey HC/Ncbpc and surrounding and encircling couches of and encircling couches of
H4524-03 Psalms 140:10 מְסִבָּ֑/י mesibay HVhrmpc/Sp1cs who surround me the ones surrounding me the ones surrounding me
H4524-04 Job 37:12 מְסִבּ֨וֹת mesibot HNcbpa turning around encircling couches encirclings
H4524-01 Song of Songs 1:12 בִּ/מְסִבּ֔/וֹ bimesibo HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms at his table at his encircling couch at his encircling couch
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