Original Word: סָבָא
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: caba'
Pronunciation: tsaw-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-baw')
Definition: To dip, to dye, to color
Meaning: to quaff to satiety, become tipsy

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for צָבַע, the concept of dyeing or coloring can be related to the Greek word βάπτω (baptō - Strong's G911), which means to dip or immerse, often used in the context of dyeing.

Usage: The Hebrew verb צָבַע (caba') primarily means to dip or to dye, often referring to the process of coloring fabrics or materials. This action involves immersing an object into a substance to change its color, symbolizing transformation or change.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, dyeing was a significant craft, with colors often derived from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and shellfish. The process of dyeing was labor-intensive and required skill, making dyed garments valuable. Colors held symbolic meanings; for example, purple was associated with royalty and wealth due to the rarity and cost of the dye.

[סָבָא] verb imbibe, drink largely (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic סְבָא id. (rare); compare Assyrian sabû, sesame-wine Dl^HWB; — Arabic wine, is probably loan-word and import foreign wine denominative, Frä^157f); —

Qal Imperfect1plural cohortative נִסְבְּאָה Isaiah 56:12; Participle active סֹבֵא Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 23:21; plural סובאים Ezekiel 23:42 Kt (Qr סָבָאִים, see below); construct סֹבְאֵי Proverbs 23:20; passive סְבוּאִים Nahum 1:10; — imbibe, with accusative שֵׁכָר Isaiah 56:12; participle active = substantive wine-bibber, drunkard Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 23:21 (both + זוֺלֵל); fully, סֹבְאֵי יָיִ֑ן Proverbs 23:20 (+ זֹלֲלֵי בָשָׂר); so also Ezekiel 23:42 Kt (Qr perhaps name of a people, so ᵑ6 AV, see below), which read Sm RV Sgfr^Kau Da; Co thinks dittograph of מוּבָאִים, but perhaps the reverse (Toy^Hpt omits מוּבָאִים): > Berthol (q. v.) מִסְּבָא; other conjectures see in Sm; וּכְסָבְאָם סְבוּאִים Nahum 1:10 is probably corrupt, passive participle of person dubious, and sense obscure; strike out both as dittograph Gunk^{ZAW xiii (1893), 235} Now; omitted in translation We Kau. On Hosea 4:18 see סֹבֶא.

[סָבָא] only plural סָבָאִים Ezekiel 23:42 Qr = drunkards, wine-bibbers (?) so Thes and others, but see סְבָאִים.

drunkard, fill self, Sabean, winebibber

A primitive root; to quaff to satiety, i.e. Become tipsy -- drunkard, fill self, Sabean, (wine-)bibber.

בְסֹֽבְאֵי־ בסבאי־ וְנִסְבְּאָ֣ה ונסבאה סְבוּאִ֑ים סָבָאִ֖ים סֹבֵ֣א סבא סבאים סבואים ḇə·sō·ḇə·’ê- ḇəsōḇə’ê- sā·ḇā·’îm sāḇā’îm savaIm sə·ḇū·’îm səḇū’îm sevuIm sō·ḇê sōḇê soVe venisbeAh vesoeei wə·nis·bə·’āh wənisbə’āhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts