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Hebrew verb · H7617

שָׁבָה

shabahshaw-baw'

to take captive

47 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key

Concordance spelling: shâbâh

Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H7617is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.

  • 15 of 39
    Old Testament books
  • 39
    spellings

The definition in full

Strong's key (1890) · H7617

to transport into captivity

The King James renders it: (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s), drive (take) away.

James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.

Summary

shabah is rendered "to take captive". It stands 47 times in the Hebrew text, across fifteen books.

  • Twelve of the uses stand in 2 Chronicles, more than in any other book.
  • Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Genesis 14:14And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
  • The Greek text spells it thirty-nine different ways.

The first use

And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

Genesis 14:14נִשְׁבָּ֖ה

The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.

Where the word stands

Twelve of the word's forty-seven uses are in 2 Chronicles.

The other 24 Old Testament books never use the word.

What the word means

Each meaning, and the words it is translated by

How the Greek text is glossed, word by word

  • captors their7
  • and they took captive6
  • and they had taken captive3
  • they have been taken captive3
  • they took captive3
  • and he took captive2
  • and they will take captive them2
  • they had been taken captive2
  • you have taken captive2
  • and he took captive them1
  • and he will take captive them1
  • and take captive1

and 14 more, 47 uses in all

The words built on the same word-part

Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.

שָׁבַעshabato swearUses186
שָׁבַרshabarto breakUses147
שָׁבַתshabathto ceaseUses71
שָׁבַרshabarto buy grainUses21
שָׁבוּעַshabuaWeeksUses20
שָׁבַחshabachto sootheUses11
שָׁבַץshabatsto weaveUses2
שָׁבִילshabilpathUses2
שָׁבָבshababfragmentUses1
שָׁבָץshabatsagonyUses1
שָׁבִיבshabibflameUses1
שָׁבִיסshabisheadbandUses1

All 47, in canonical order

Every use, in order

Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.

39 spellings and their grammar

STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.

How it is spelled

  • נִשְׁבָּ֖ה3
  • נִשְׁבּוּ־3
  • שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙3
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֨וּ2
  • שָׁב֣וּ2
  • וַיִּ֥שְׁבְּ׀1
  • וַיִּ֣שְׁבְּ׀1
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֧וּ1
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֛וּ1
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֣וּ1
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֗וּ1
  • וַיִּשְׁבּ֤וּ1

and 27 more spellings in the ledger below.

The grammar of each form

  • Hc/Vqw3mp9Hc/Vqw3mp
  • verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine plural7HVqrmpc/Sp3mp
  • verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural5HVNp3cp
  • verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural4HVqp3cp
  • verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singular3HVNp3ms
  • Hc/Vqq3cp/Sp3mp2Hc/Vqq3cp/Sp3mp
  • Hc/Vqw3ms2Hc/Vqw3ms
  • verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 2nd person masculine singular2HVqp2ms
  • Hc/Vqq2ms1Hc/Vqq2ms
  • Hc/Vqq3ms/Sp3mp1Hc/Vqq3ms/Sp3mp
  • conjunction (“and”) + verb · simple (qal), command · 2nd person masculine singular1HC/Vqv2ms
  • Hc/Vqw3ms/Sp3mp1Hc/Vqw3ms/Sp3mp

Genesis

three uses
  • And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

    Genesis 14:14

    • נִשְׁבָּ֖הnishbahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: he had been taken captive
  • Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war!

    Genesis 31:26

    • כִּשְׁבֻי֖וֹתkishvuyotpreposition + verb · simple (qal), passive participle · feminine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: like captives of
  • They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses.

    Genesis 34:29

    • שָׁב֖וּshavuverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they took captive

Exodus

one use
  • If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,

    Exodus 22:10

    • נִשְׁבָּ֖הnishbahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it was captured

Numbers

three uses
  • When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners.

    Numbers 21:1

    • וַיִּ֥שְׁבְּ׀vaiyishbHc/Vqw3mstagged: and he took captive
  • Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”

    Numbers 24:22

    • תִּשְׁבֶּֽךָּ׃tishbekaverb · simple (qal), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person feminine singular + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: will it take captive you
  • The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.

    Numbers 31:9

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֧וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive

Deuteronomy

one use
  • When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive,

    Deuteronomy 21:10

    • וְשָׁבִ֥יתָveshavitaHc/Vqq2mstagged: and you will take captive

Judges

one use
  • ‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’

    Judges 5:12

    • וּֽשֲׁבֵ֥הushavehconjunction (“and”) + verb · simple (qal), command · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: and take captive

1 Samuel

three uses
  • They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

    1 Samuel 30:2

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֨וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they had taken captive
  • When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.

    1 Samuel 30:3

    • נִשְׁבּֽוּ׃nishbuverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they had been taken captive
  • David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive.

    1 Samuel 30:5

    • נִשְׁבּ֑וּnishbuverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they had been taken captive

1 Kings

six uses
  • When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,

    1 Kings 8:46

    • וְשָׁב֤וּםveshavumHc/Vqq3cp/Sp3mptagged: and they will take captive them
    • שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙shoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their
  • and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

    1 Kings 8:47

    • נִשְׁבּוּ־nishbu-verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they have been taken captive
    • שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙shoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their
  • and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,

    1 Kings 8:48

    • שָׁב֣וּshavuverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they have taken captive
  • May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.

    1 Kings 8:50

    • שֹׁבֵיהֶ֖םshoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their

2 Kings

two uses
  • At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife.

    2 Kings 5:2

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֛וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they had taken captive
  • “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”

    2 Kings 6:22

    • שָׁבִ֛יתָshavitaverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: you have taken captive

1 Chronicles

one use
  • They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took 100,000 captives,

    1 Chronicles 5:21

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֣וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive

2 Chronicles

twelve uses
  • When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near,

    2 Chronicles 6:36

    • וְשָׁב֧וּםveshavumHc/Vqq3cp/Sp3mptagged: and they will take captive them
    • שׁוֹבֵיהֶ֛םshoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their
  • and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

    2 Chronicles 6:37

    • נִשְׁבּוּ־nishbu-verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they have been taken captive
  • and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,

    2 Chronicles 6:38

    • שָׁב֣וּshavuverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they took captive
  • They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and carried off many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

    2 Chronicles 14:15

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֨וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive
  • So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.

    2 Chronicles 21:17

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֗וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive
  • and the army of Judah also captured 10,000 men alive. They took them to the top of a cliff and threw them down so that all were dashed to pieces.

    2 Chronicles 25:12

    • שָׁבוּ֙shavuverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they took captive
  • So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force.

    2 Chronicles 28:5

    • וַיִּשְׁבּ֤וּvaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive
  • Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria.

    2 Chronicles 28:8

    • וַיִּשְׁבּוּ֩vaiyishbuHc/Vqw3mptagged: and they took captive
  • Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you took from your kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you.”

    2 Chronicles 28:11

    • שְׁבִיתֶ֖םshevitemverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 2nd person masculine pluraltagged: you have taken captive
  • The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away captives.

    2 Chronicles 28:17

    • וַיִּשְׁבּוּ־vaiyishbu-Hc/Vqw3mptagged: and they had taken captive
  • For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”

    2 Chronicles 30:9

    • שֽׁוֹבֵיהֶ֔םshoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their

Psalms

three uses
  • You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

    Psalms 68:18

    • שָׁ֘בִ֤יתָshavitaverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: you took captive
  • He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.

    Psalms 106:46

    • שׁוֹבֵיהֶֽם׃shoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their
  • for there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: “Sing us a song of Zion.”

    Psalms 137:3

    • שׁוֹבֵ֡ינוּshoveinuverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine pluraltagged: captors our

Isaiah

three uses
  • The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.

    Isaiah 14:2

    • שֹׁבִ֣יםshovimverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine pluraltagged: taking captive
    • לְשֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֔םleshoeihempreposition + verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: to captors their
  • The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

    Isaiah 61:1

    • לִשְׁבוּיִם֙lishvuyimpreposition + verb · simple (qal), passive participle · masculine pluraltagged: to captives

Jeremiah

six uses
  • But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

    Jeremiah 13:17

    • נִשְׁבָּ֖הnishbahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it has been taken captive
  • Then Ishmael took captive all the remnant of the people of Mizpah—the daughters of the king along with all the others who remained in Mizpah—over whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set off to cross over to the Ammonites.

    Jeremiah 41:10

    • וַיִּ֣שְׁבְּ׀vaiyishbHc/Vqw3mstagged: and he took captive
    • וַיִּשְׁבֵּם֙vaiyishbemHc/Vqw3ms/Sp3mptagged: and he took captive them
  • and all the people whom Ishmael had taken captive at Mizpah turned and went over to Johanan son of Kareah.

    Jeremiah 41:14

    • שָׁבָ֥הshavahverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: he had taken captive
  • I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.

    Jeremiah 43:12

    • וְשָׁבָ֑םveshavamHc/Vqq3ms/Sp3mptagged: and he will take captive them
  • This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to release them.

    Jeremiah 50:33

    • שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙shoeihemverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: captors their

Ezekiel

one use
  • Then in the nations to which they have been carried captive, your survivors will remember Me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts that turned away from Me, and by their eyes that lusted after idols. So they will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their abominations.

    Ezekiel 6:9

    • נִשְׁבּוּ־nishbu-verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they have been taken captive

Obadiah

one use
  • On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.

    Obadiah 1:11

    • שְׁב֥וֹתshevotverb · simple (qal), infinitive (“to…”)tagged: took captive

The letters

Where it leads

How the numbers are counted

Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.

Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.

The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.

The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.

Hebrew and Greek text, word tagging and grammar: STEP Bible (www.STEPBible.org), Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0. Their grammar codes are written out in English here and shown as tagged beside each one.

Meaning and senses: STEP Bible TBESH gloss (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Dictionary key: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890, public domain). English verse text: Berean Standard Bible (public domain, 2023).

Revised 2026-09-05. Every cited work, the sources registry →