סָבָא
sa.va
to imbibe
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word סָבָא (sa.va) is defined as "to imbibe." This action implies the consumption or absorption of a substance, whether it be a liquid or a food. Its 4 occurrences in the Bible suggest that this term is used in a relatively narrow context, which may indicate specialized vocabulary within Hebrew culture. Further analysis would be necessary to determine what specific substances are being referenced, such as strong drinks, intoxicants, or medicinal drinks. In this sense, the significance of the word lies in conveying the action of absorbing or consuming, potentially highlighting the physical or social impact of such actions. While its usage is limited, it can add nuance to passages where consumption is a central theme.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:
Proverbs 23:21for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Isaiah 56:12“Come,” say they, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”
Nahum 1:10For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.