צְבָא
𐤑𐤁𐤀
tsᵉbâʼ
H6634 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To wish, desire, or be willing; denotes the act of choosing, desiring, or expressing intention. In Aramaic contexts in the biblical period, it refers to an act of volition or personal will, whether in simple desire or formal consent.
Semantic Range
to wish, to will, to desire, to be willing, to choose, to be pleased, to consent
Root / Etymology
From the root צבא, which in Hebrew means 'to go forth, wage war, serve,' but in this Aramaic derivation (צְבָא), the semantic field shifts to 'desire' or 'will.' Not etymologically related to Aramaic פתרון ('interpretation'), unlike what older glosses may suggest. The root form in the Jewish Babylonian Aramaic is associated with seeking satisfaction or pleasing oneself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel, Ezra) to indicate volition or personal will. Not to be confused with the much more common Hebrew noun צָבָא (horde, army, host), despite identical spelling in unpointed texts; instead, the meaning here reflects a semantic development in Aramaic where the root connotes desire or intention. In post-biblical Aramaic and later Jewish Aramaic, the root continues to mean 'to desire' or 'to will,' influencing legal and liturgical vocabulary. Some English translations render this as 'pleased' or 'willed,' but this can obscure the nuance of personal choice or intention found in many original contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to פִּתְרוֹן in the figurative sense of summoning one's wishes; to please; will, would.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צבא (ṣ-b-ʾ) — to desire, to will, to choose, to be willing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6633 | צָבָא | the one mobilizing for service |
| H6635 | צָבָא | in the organized host |
| H6640 | צְבוּ | determined purpose |
| H6648 | צֶבַע | host of |
| H6717 | צִיבָא | to Stationed-One |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6634-01 |
צָבֵ֜א | tsave | AVqrmsa |
wanting | willing one | 4 |
H6634-04 |
יִצְבֵּא֙ | yitsebe | AVqp3ms |
he-delights | he willed | 3 |
H6634-05 |
יִצְבֵּ֖ה | yitsebeh | AVqi3ms |
He appoints | he wills | 1 |
H6634-02 |
צְבִית֙ | tsevit | AVqp1cs |
I desired | I desired | 1 |
H6634-03 |
וּֽ/כְ/מִצְבְּיֵ֗/הּ | ukhemitsebeyeh | AC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms |
and according to-his-will | and according to his willing | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6634-04 |
Daniel 4:14 | יִצְבֵּא֙ | yitsebe | AVqp3ms |
he wills | he willed |
H6634-04 |
Daniel 4:22 | יִצְבֵּ֖א | yitsebe | AVqi3ms |
he-will-please | he willed |
H6634-04 |
Daniel 4:29 | יִצְבֵּ֖א | yitsebe | AVqi3ms |
he-delights | he willed |
H6634-03 |
Daniel 4:32 | וּֽ/כְ/מִצְבְּיֵ֗/הּ | ukhemitsebeyeh | AC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms |
and according to-his-will | and according to his willing |
H6634-01 |
Daniel 5:19 | צָבֵ֜א | tsave | AVqrmsa |
wanting | willing one |
H6634-01 |
Daniel 5:19 | צָבֵא֙ | tsave-2 | AVqrmsa |
wanting | willing one |
H6634-01 |
Daniel 5:19 | צָבֵא֙ | tsave-3 | AVqrmsa |
wanting | willing one |
H6634-01 |
Daniel 5:19 | צָבֵ֖א | tsave-4 | AVqrmsa |
wanting | willing one |
H6634-05 |
Daniel 5:21 | יִצְבֵּ֖ה | yitsebeh | AVqi3ms |
He appoints | he wills |
H6634-02 |
Daniel 7:19 | צְבִית֙ | tsevit | AVqp1cs |
I desired | I desired |