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שְׂבָכָה

𐤔𐤁𐤊𐤄

sᵉbâkâh

H7639 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׂבך to interweave, entwine, mesh

Definition

A woven or latticework structure characterized by an interlaced, reticulated pattern. Used primarily in reference to decorative metal or woodwork—especially as ornamental or functional latticework in the design of temple fixtures (such as the network under the altar or on the capitals of pillars), but also employed more generally for any netted or interwoven structure, including those for utilitarian purposes like snares or nets.

Semantic Range

latticework, ornamental network, lattice (in architecture), mesh, balustrade, decorative grille, woven structure, net (rare—mainly architectural not utilitarian)

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׂבָךְ (ś-b-k), meaning 'to entwine, interweave, mesh.' The noun שְׂבָכָה (sᵉbâkâh) is a feminine form that denotes that which is interwoven or latticed. The root expresses the act of weaving or making a network, and the noun refers to the product—an interlaced or netted object.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שְׂבָכָה is used in the Hebrew Bible primarily in descriptions of architectural or cultic artifacts; for example, the elaborate bronze latticework made for the altar and the capitals of pillars in Solomon’s Temple (see 1 Kings 7:17, 2 Chronicles 4:13). It connotes artistry and structural design, distinct from other words for 'net' (such as רֶשֶׁת, which refers more generally to fishing or hunting nets). In most contexts, שְׂבָכָה denotes a decorative or protective lattice, not a snare, though the root is related to the general concept of weaving or entanglement. Later biblical and post-biblical usage maintains the association with ornamental or protective architecture. English translations often render the term as 'network,' 'lattice,' or 'wreathen work,' but these can obscure its specialized architectural connotation, especially the distinction between ordinary nets and the crafted latticework of sacred spaces. The word does not imply a hidden snare but an intentional, visible structure. There is little evidence of semantic shift across historical layers; it maintains a marked association with cultic and architectural design.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of שָׂבָךְ; a net-work, i.e. (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to apillar; checker, lattice, network, snare, wreath(-enwork).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂבך (ś-b-k) — interweave, entwine, mesh

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7638 שָׂבָךְ ornamental latticeworks

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7639-01 הַ/שְּׂבָכָ֣ה hasevakhah HTd/Ncfsa the network the latticework the latticework 5
H7639-02 הַ/שְּׂבָכ֑וֹת hasevakhot HTd/Ncfpa networks the latticeworks the latticeworks 2
H7639-06 וּ/שְׂבָכָ֨ה usevakhah HC/Ncfsa and network interwoven latticework and interwoven latticework 2
H7639-03 לַ/שְּׂבָכָ֣ה lasevakhah HRd/Ncfsa network for the latticework for the latticework 2
H7639-07 וְ/הַ/שְּׂבָכ֣וֹת vehasevakhot HC/Td/Ncfpa and-the-networks and the latticeworks and the latticeworks 2
H7639-04 שְׂבָכָ֗ה sevakhah HNcfsa latticework interwoven latticework interwoven latticework 2
H7639-05 שבכה shvkhh HNcfsa network interwoven latticework interwoven latticework 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7639-04 1 Kings 7:17 שְׂבָכָ֗ה sevakhah HNcfsa latticework interwoven latticework interwoven latticework
H7639-01 1 Kings 7:18 הַ/שְּׂבָכָ֣ה hasevakhah HTd/Ncfsa the network the latticework the latticework
H7639-05 1 Kings 7:20 שבכה shvkhh HNcfsa network interwoven latticework interwoven latticework
H7639-01 1 Kings 7:20 הַ/שְּׂבָכָ֑ה hasevakhah HTd/Ncfsa the-network the latticework the latticework
H7639-07 1 Kings 7:41 וְ/הַ/שְּׂבָכ֣וֹת vehasevakhot HC/Td/Ncfpa and-the-networks and the latticeworks and the networks
H7639-02 1 Kings 7:42 הַ/שְּׂבָכ֑וֹת hasevakhot HTd/Ncfpa networks the latticeworks the latticeworks
H7639-03 1 Kings 7:42 לַ/שְּׂבָכָ֣ה lasevakhah HRd/Ncfsa network for the latticework for the latticework
H7639-01 2 Kings 1:2 הַ/שְּׂבָכָ֗ה hasevakhah HTd/Ncfsa the lattice the latticework the latticework
H7639-06 2 Kings 25:17 וּ/שְׂבָכָ֨ה usevakhah HC/Ncfsa and network interwoven latticework and latticework
H7639-01 2 Kings 25:17 הַ/שְּׂבָכָֽה hasevakhah HTd/Ncfsa the network the latticework the latticework
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