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שָׁבַח

𐤔𐤁𐤇

shâbach

H7623 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To praise or extol, especially to speak well of or acclaim aloud. The term often carries the nuance of vocal, public praise, especially directed toward a person or deity. In certain contexts, it can also mean to celebrate, to glorify in words, or to express approval or admiration in an audible or public manner.

Semantic Range

to praise, to extol, to commend, to acclaim, to glorify, to express approval vocally, to pacify with words (rare), to boast (positively), to celebrate

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁ־ב־ח (שָׁבַח), core meaning 'to praise, extol, commend.' This verbal root is primarily attested in later biblical books such as Psalms, Chronicles, and Daniel, suggesting it was a post-monarchic development or borrowing. Its fundamental sense is tied to vocal or public acclamation rather than mere internal appreciation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁבַח appears mainly in late biblical literature (e.g., Psalms, some texts in Chronicles, Daniel), where it refers to vocal, sometimes communal, expressions of praise, often directed toward the deity. Unlike הַלֵּל (hallel), which is the standard term for 'praise' in older biblical texts, שָׁבַח is infrequent or absent in earlier Israelite writings and appears to have developed or gained popularity in the Second Temple period. Some scholars suggest possible Aramaic or Akkadian influence, as similar roots (e.g., Akkadian šubāḫu) have related meanings. In later Judaism and medieval Hebrew, its usage expands, often narrowing to liturgical or poetic praise, but in the Hebrew Bible its focus remains on ceremonial or public glorification. English translations often render both הַלֵּל and שָׁבַח as 'praise,' but שָׁבַח can carry the nuance of acclaim or boasting in a positive sense (to commend) as distinct from mere congratulations or blessing. The root can also imply the calming or pacifying of someone through words, but this nuance is rare and usually context-dependent. There is no implied sense of musical praise (as with זמר, zamar), nor is there the connotation of thanksgiving (as with ידה, yadah).

Translation Consistency

primary "praise" 3 occurrences

“Praise” is the most natural, common English verb that covers the primary semantic range of שָׁבַח (to extol, glorify, commend, acclaim). It fits the typical vocal/public sense directed to a person or deity, is straightforward in all grammatical forms, and avoids the more formal or rare senses (e.g., “extol” or “pacify with words”). Using “praise” ensures consistent, idiomatic renderings across every form of this Strong’s entry.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"extol aloud" (2x) "extolled" (2x) "causing to quiet" (1x) "humble" (1x) "extol" (1x) "restrains" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to address in aloud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by words); commend, glory, keep in, praise, still, triumph.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

שבח (shâbach) — to praise, to extol, to commend

Root שבח to praise, to extol, to commend
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7624 שְׁבַח the one who praises

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7623-01 לְ/הִשְׁתַּבֵּ֖חַ lehishetabecha HR/Vtc to glory to praise oneself to praise oneself 2
H7623-02 מַשְׁבִּ֤יחַ mashebicha HVhrmsa causing-to-praise one causing praise one causing to quiet 1
H7623-03 שַׁבְּחִ֣י shabechi HVpv2fs Praise Extol aloud! Extol aloud 1
H7623-04 שַׁ֝בְּח֗וּ/הוּ shabechuhu HVpv2mp/Sp3ms Laud Him Extol him! Extol him 1
H7623-05 תְשַׁבְּחֵֽ/ם teshabechem HVpi2ms/Sp3mp humble them you will extol them you humble them 1
H7623-06 וְ/שַׁבֵּ֧חַ veshabecha HC/Vpa to emphatically extol and I extolled 1
H7623-07 וְ/שִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי veshibacheti HC/Vpp1cs and I extolled and I extolled 1
H7623-08 יְשַׁבַּ֣ח yeshabach HVpi3ms shall praise he will extol aloud he will extol aloud 1
H7623-09 יְשַׁבְּחֶֽ/נָּה yeshabechenah HVpi3ms/Sp3fs holds it back he will extol her restrains it 1
H7623-10 יְשַׁבְּחֽוּ/נְךָ yeshabechunekha HVpi3mp/Sp2ms shall praise You they will extol you shall praise you 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7623-10 Psalms 63:4 יְשַׁבְּחֽוּ/נְךָ yeshabechunekha HVpi3mp/Sp2ms shall praise You they will extol you shall praise you
H7623-02 Psalms 65:8 מַשְׁבִּ֤יחַ mashebicha HVhrmsa causing-to-praise one causing praise one causing to quiet
H7623-05 Psalms 89:10 תְשַׁבְּחֵֽ/ם teshabechem HVpi2ms/Sp3mp humble them you will extol them you humble them
H7623-01 Psalms 106:47 לְ֝/הִשְׁתַּבֵּ֗חַ lehishetabecha HR/Vtc to glory to praise oneself to praise oneself
H7623-04 Psalms 117:1 שַׁ֝בְּח֗וּ/הוּ shabechuhu HVpv2mp/Sp3ms Laud Him Extol him! Extol him
H7623-08 Psalms 145:4 יְשַׁבַּ֣ח yeshabach HVpi3ms shall praise he will extol aloud he will extol aloud
H7623-03 Psalms 147:12 שַׁבְּחִ֣י shabechi HVpv2fs Praise Extol aloud! Extol aloud
H7623-09 Proverbs 29:11 יְשַׁבְּחֶֽ/נָּה yeshabechenah HVpi3ms/Sp3fs holds it back he will extol her restrains it
H7623-06 Ecclesiastes 4:2 וְ/שַׁבֵּ֧חַ veshabecha HC/Vpa to emphatically extol and I extolled
H7623-07 Ecclesiastes 8:15 וְ/שִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי veshibacheti HC/Vpp1cs and I extolled and I extolled
H7623-01 1 Chronicles 16:35 לְ/הִשְׁתַּבֵּ֖חַ lehishetabecha HR/Vtc to glory to praise oneself to praise oneself
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