סַבָּל
𐤎𐤁𐤋
çabbâl
H5449 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A porter or carrier; specifically, one assigned to physically transport loads, burdens, or goods. The term designates an individual whose designated function is to carry or bear burdens, often in contexts of construction, transport, or public works. Less frequently, the word may refer to laborers who assist in moving heavy materials, especially during major building projects or infrastructural efforts.
Semantic Range
porter, carrier of burdens, laborer transporting loads, workman in construction or transport, person assigned to move goods
Root / Etymology
Root: סבל (ס-ב-ל), carrying the core meaning of to bear, carry, carry a load. The noun סַבָּל derives from the root סבל, reflecting the agentive form indicating a person whose task is to bear loads. The root is also present in related words such as מַסְבֵּל ('load,' 'burden') and סָבַל ('he bore [a burden]'). The word is constructed as an occupational designation using the standard nominal pattern for agent nouns in Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical usage, סַבָּל appears especially in later books such as Kings and Chronicles, often describing laborers or porters employed in large-scale building works (e.g., Solomon's Temple and palace). The position of סַבָּל was probably not a hereditary office, but a functional or conscripted labor role fulfilled by non-elite Israelites or, at times, by non-Israelite laborers under Israelite authority. In post-exilic contexts, the role continues in administrative lists concerning the organization of labor, reflecting the continuity of such occupations into the Persian period. English translations often render the term as 'porter' or 'burden-bearer,' but these may underemphasize the heavy, manual, and at times conscripted nature of the labor. The term is distinguished from נֹשֵׂא (one who lifts, usually generic) by its more official or job-related intent. The concept lacks the religious or ritual connotations of other porters (such as Levitical gatekeepers, שׁוֹעֵרִים), focusing purely on physical labor.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָבַל; a porter; (to bear, bearer of) burden(-s).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סבל (s-b-l) — to bear, to carry, to transport a load
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5445 | סָבַל | I will bear |
| H5446 | סְבַל | being set-up ones |
| H5447 | סֵבֶל | in the burden |
| H5448 | סֹבֶל | his burden-load |
| H5450 | סְבָלָה | in their carried-loads |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5449-03 |
סַבָּ֑ל | sabal | HNcmsa |
bearers of burdens | load-bearer | 3 |
H5449-02 |
הַ/סַּבָּלִ֗ים | hasabalim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the burden-bearers | the load-carriers | 1 |
H5449-01 |
הַ/סַּבָּ֔ל | hasabal | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the bearer | the load-bearer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5449-03 |
1 Kings 5:29 | סַבָּ֑ל | sabal | HNcmsa |
burden | load-bearer |
H5449-01 |
Nehemiah 4:4 | הַ/סַּבָּ֔ל | hasabal | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the bearer | the load-bearer |
H5449-03 |
2 Chronicles 2:1 | סַבָּ֔ל | sabal | HNcmsa |
burden-bearers | load-bearer |
H5449-03 |
2 Chronicles 2:17 | סַבָּ֔ל | sabal | HNcmsa |
bearers of burdens | load-bearer |
H5449-02 |
2 Chronicles 34:13 | הַ/סַּבָּלִ֗ים | hasabalim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the burden-bearers | the load-carriers |