שְׁבַשׁ
𐤔𐤁𐤔
shᵉbash
H7672 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Aramaic verb meaning to be perplexed, bewildered, or confounded; to become astonished or disoriented due to confusion. Used in contexts where an individual is thrown into mental or emotional confusion, especially as a result of unexpected events or overwhelming circumstances.
Semantic Range
to be perplexed, to be confounded, to be bewildered, to be mentally entangled, to be astonished, to be thrown into disorder or confusion
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁ־ב־שׁ, which in Hebrew (שָׁבַץ, shavat͟z) means 'to weave in, to interlace,' suggesting becoming enmeshed or entangled—here applied figuratively in Aramaic as 'entangled in thought,' hence perplexed. The Aramaic form exhibits a semantic shift from physical interweaving to mental entanglement or bewilderment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This Aramaic term occurs in biblical texts written during the post-exilic period, when Aramaic had become a lingua franca among various populations in the Persian Empire, including Judeans. The verb expresses mental or emotional confusion rather than physical astonishment. In Daniel 3:24, for instance, it describes the king's reaction upon witnessing what appears to defy natural expectations. Its Hebrew counterpart שָׁבַץ (shavat͟z), by contrast, predominantly refers to setting stones or inlaying, emphasizing embedding or entangling rather than mental confusion. Later rabbinic Hebrew and post-biblical Aramaic preserve this figurative sense. English translations often render it as 'astonished' or 'amazed,' but these may downplay the underlying sense of mental bewilderment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁבַץ; to entangle, i.e. perplex; be astonished.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁבשׁ (sh-b-sh) — weave, interlace, entangle
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7672-01 |
מִֽשְׁתַּבְּשִֽׁין | mishetabeshin | AVMrmpa |
were-perplexed | those becoming entangled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7672-01 |
Daniel 5:9 | מִֽשְׁתַּבְּשִֽׁין | mishetabeshin | AVMrmpa |
were-perplexed | those becoming entangled |