שׁוֹבָב
sho.vav
turning back
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word שׁוֹבָב (sho.vav) corresponds to Strong's number H7726 and has a short definition of "turning back." Its semantic domain is Body & Health, indicating its primary connection to the human body and well-being. This one-word concept appears 4 times in the Bible, suggesting a significant concern with physical actions that involve turning back or returning to a prior position. We can infer that the word is more about movement and physical action than emotions or intentions. The specific context in which "turning back" occurs will reveal its full meaning, but at its core, it represents a physical turning or reversing of direction. The frequency and limited semantic domain of "שׁוֹבָב" suggest its significance might be more about describing a physical action rather than conveying a deeper message or metaphor. Further biblical contexts will be crucial to understanding the nuances and implications of this word, but at its most basic level, it denotes a straightforward physical action.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
Jeremiah 3:14“Return, backsliding children,” says Yahweh; “for I am a husband to you. I will take one of you from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
Jeremiah 3:22Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. “Behold, we have come to you; for you are Yahweh our God.
Jeremiah 50:6My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place.