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סָחַב

𐤎𐤇𐤁

çâchab

H5498 verb

SILEX Entry

Root סחב to drag, to pull, to haul

Definition

To drag, draw, or pull (especially along the ground) by physical force, often involving effort and resistance; can denote both literal dragging of objects or persons and, by extension, forcibly taking something or someone away. The word can carry a nuance of rough, laborious, or even violent movement.

Semantic Range

to drag forcibly, to pull along the ground, to haul, to carry off (especially by force), to tear away, to draw (with effort or resistance), to remove by force

Root / Etymology

Root: סָחַב. The word derives from the root meaning 'to drag' or 'to haul.' The root action involves pulling something along with effort, often suggesting an object that does not move easily. The qal stem is used for the general act of dragging, while the piel can indicate intensification (e.g., tearing away or forceful removal) though forms are rare.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical usage, סָחַב most often describes forcibly dragging or pulling objects or people, commonly associated with situations of conflict (such as captives being led away or spoils being carried off). The contexts suggest a movement that is neither smooth nor voluntary, emphasizing resistance or weight. The term appears mainly in narrative texts, sometimes with a negative connotation (e.g., oppression, forced removal). While English translations may render the word as 'drag,' 'draw,' 'tear,' or 'carry off,' they can obscure the sense of force and unwillingness often implicit in the Hebrew term. The verb differs from other roots like משך (mashakh, 'to draw, pull') which may have more neutral or gentle connotations. סָחַב is distinct in its association with arduous, resistant movement—often with negative consequences for the one being dragged. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root continues to mean 'to drag' but may also broaden metaphorically, though this development is not attested in the Hebrew Bible. The term does not acquire specific religious or technical meaning, and its usage remains consistent from the monarchic through the exilic periods, with rare occurrences in the later biblical corpus.

Translation Consistency

primary "drag" 4 occurrences

“Drag” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the core sense here — forcible pulling or hauling, often along the ground, including carrying off by force. It matches the majority of existing renderings and covers the typical literal and figurative uses in the SILEX range while remaining concise and consistent for all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"dragged" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to trail along; draw (out), tear.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סחב (s-ḥ-b) — dragging, pulling, hauling by force

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5499 סְחָבָה the rags

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5498-04 יִסְחָבוּ/ם֙ yisechavum HVqi3mp/Sp3mp they will drag them they will drag them they will drag them 2
H5498-03 וְ/סָחַ֤בְנוּ vesachavenu HC/Vqq1cp and-we-will-drag and we dragged and we dragged 1
H5498-02 סָח֣וֹב sachov HVqa dragged to drag forcibly to drag forcibly 1
H5498-01 לִ/סְחֹ֑ב lisechov HR/Vqc to-drag to drag forcibly to drag forcibly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5498-03 2 Samuel 17:13 וְ/סָחַ֤בְנוּ vesachavenu HC/Vqq1cp and-we-will-drag and we dragged and we dragged
H5498-01 Jeremiah 15:3 לִ/סְחֹ֑ב lisechov HR/Vqc to-drag to drag forcibly to drag forcibly
H5498-02 Jeremiah 22:19 סָח֣וֹב sachov HVqa dragged to drag forcibly to drag forcibly
H5498-04 Jeremiah 49:20 יִסְחָבוּ/ם֙ yisechavum HVqi3mp/Sp3mp they will drag them they will drag them they will drag them
H5498-04 Jeremiah 50:45 יִסְחָבוּ/ם֙ yisechavum HVqi3mp/Sp3mp will drag them away they will drag them they will drag them
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