מִשְׁבָּת
𐤌𐤔𐤁𐤕
mishbâth
H4868 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state of ceasing or stoppage, typically referring to a complete halt or interruption, sometimes with connotation of utter desolation or ruin. In biblical context, it may also relate to the halting of regular activity as marked by cessation (such as sabbath rest), but with particular focus on the result of cessation, such as devastation or destruction, rather than on worship or rest itself.
Semantic Range
cessation, stoppage, desolation, ruin, enforced or involuntary rest; sabbath-rest (in sense of forced abandonment)
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁבת (sh-b-t), 'to cease, desist, rest, stop.' The nominal form מִשְׁבָּת is constructed with the mem-prefix (denoting the product or result of an action), thus indicating the result or act of ceasing — i.e., stoppage, cessation, or more forcefully, the resulting state of desolation or destruction. While related to שַׁבָּת (shabbat, 'sabbath'), this term often emphasizes cessation in the sense of ruin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מִשְׁבָּת appears only rarely (e.g., Leviticus 26:34-35, 43) and always in the context of the land enjoying its 'sabbath-rests' during the exile of the Israelites, when it lies desolate and not cultivated. The word highlights the desolate outcome of the land's enforced rest — a cessation of agricultural labor by virtue of exile and depopulation, not of voluntary observance. This distinguishes it from שַׁבָּת, which refers to the cyclical day of rest. The older translations at times render the term as 'desolation' or 'ruin' when referring to land, reflecting the context of forced, rather than chosen, inactivity. Thus, מִשְׁבָּת is best understood as 'cessation with resultant desolation,' and is distinct from words denoting ordinary rest. It appears only in priestly and exilic/post-exilic contexts, reflecting concerns about land use, exile, and covenantal obedience.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁבַת; cessation, i.e. destruction; sabbath.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שבת (sh-b-t) — to cease, to stop, to rest, to desist
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7673 | שָׁבַת | let me cause to cease |
| H7676 | שַׁבָּת | in the ceasing-day |
| H7677 | שַׁבָּתוֹן | solemn cessation-rest |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4868-01 |
מִשְׁבַּתֶּֽ/הָ | mishebateha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
her downfall | her cessations | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4868-01 |
Lamentations 1:7 | מִשְׁבַּתֶּֽ/הָ | mishebateha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
her downfall | her cessations |