שִׂיב
𐤔𐤉𐤁
sîyb
H7867 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become gray-haired or aged; to exhibit the physical signs of aging, especially in the graying of hair. In extended usage, the verb can refer figuratively to advancing in years, acquiring the status of an elder, or attaining venerable age.
Semantic Range
to become gray-haired, to grow gray, to reach old age, to attain venerable age, to be visibly aged (especially regarding hair); to become aged (figurative); to acquire distinction of age (implied in some contexts)
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂיב (s-y-b), signifying 'to be gray, to become hoary.' The form שִׂיב preserves this root meaning and refers specifically to the process or state of becoming gray, typically referring to hair but also by extension to advanced age. The root expresses an observable change associated with the passage of time.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שִׂיב appears primarily in poetic and wisdom literature, where the graying of hair is a visible and culturally important signal of age, wisdom, experience, and often respect within Israelite society. While standard translations often render this verb simply as 'to grow gray' or 'to be grayheaded,' the nuance in Hebrew carries connotations of entering venerable or honorable status, reflecting the societal value placed on elders. The term can overlap with other age-related roots (e.g., זָקֵן, 'zaken,' which primarily means 'to be old' or 'an elder'), but שִׂיב emphasizes the outward, physical marker of age rather than just years lived or social rank. In some contexts, the concept extends to patience, endurance, or the gradual passage of time. The use of 'grayheaded' in KJV translations may both reflect and obscure the broader range, missing the aspect of respect and wisdom associated with the sign of age in the culture of ancient Israel. In later Hebrew, related nouns (e.g., שֵׂיבָה, 'gray hair, old age') retain this association.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to become aged, i.e. (by implication) to grow gray; (be) grayheaded.
Bantu Hebrew
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שׂיב (s-y-b) — to become gray, to grow old, to be hoary
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7867-01 |
שָׂ֣ב | sav | HVqrmsa |
gray-haired | the graying one | 1 |
H7867-02 |
וָ/שַׂ֔בְתִּי | vasaveti | HC/Vqp1cs |
and-gray-headed | I have grown gray | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7867-02 |
1 Samuel 12:2 | וָ/שַׂ֔בְתִּי | vasaveti | HC/Vqp1cs |
and-gray-headed | I have grown gray |
H7867-01 |
Job 15:10 | שָׂ֣ב | sav | HVqrmsa |
gray-haired | the graying one |