סְבַר
𐤎𐤁𐤓
çᵉbar
H5452 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To think, suppose, consider, or entertain an opinion; in specific contexts, to hope or expect. The verb fundamentally relates to the activity of mental consideration, deliberation, or forming a judgment, with possible extension into the realm of expectation or hope, depending on the context. Used primarily in Biblical Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel).
Semantic Range
to think, to suppose, to consider, to believe, to expect, to hope, to form an opinion
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic root סבר corresponding to the Hebrew root סבר (though it is not commonly found in Biblical Hebrew itself, but appears in related Semitic languages). Root meaning is 'to consider, think, hope.' The meaning in the text arises from the verbal stem's focus on mental activity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Aramaic (e.g., Daniel 3:25; 6:24), this verb denotes reasoning, supposing, assuming, or expecting something to be the case, with occasional nuance of 'to hope.' The sense of hope is less central than in later Jewish Aramaic, where the term became the common verb for 'to hope' (cf. later Targumic and Rabbinic usage). In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, it typically refers to intellectual consideration or judgment rather than emotional hope. English translations often supply 'think,' 'suppose,' or 'expect,' but the term's range includes mental supposition and assumption, not only certainty. Not used in Biblical Hebrew prose, but cognates exist in other Aramaic dialects and related Semitic languages. Should be distinguished from Hebrew יָחַל (to hope, await) and קָוָה (to hope for, wait for), which have more dominant sense of expectation or hope in Hebrew contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) a primitive root; to bear in mind, i.e. hope; think.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סבר (s-b-r) — to think, consider, suppose, hope, expect
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5452-01 |
וְ/יִסְבַּ֗ר | veyisebar | AC/Vqi3ms |
and he shall think | and he will consider | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5452-01 |
Daniel 7:25 | וְ/יִסְבַּ֗ר | veyisebar | AC/Vqi3ms |
and he shall think | and he will consider |