Original Word: שְׁבַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shbaq
Pronunciation: sheh-BAK
Phonetic Spelling: (sheb-ak')
KJV: leave, let alone
NASB: leave, alone, left
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to the root of H7733 (שׁוֹבֵק - Shobek)]
1. to quit, i.e. allow to remain
(Aramaic) corresponding to the root of Showbeq; to quit, i.e. Allow to remain -- leave, let alone.
see HEBREW Showbeq
Pe`al Infinitive לְמִשְׁבַּק Daniel 4:23 leave roots, so Imperative masculine plural שְׁבֻ֫קוּ Daniel 4:12; Daniel 4:20 (both with ב location); Ezra 6:7 let alone, with ל accusative of thing.
Hithpe`el Imperfect3feminine singular תִּשְׁתְּבִק Daniel 2:44 be left (of kingdom, + ל of a people).
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The Aramaic verb שְׁבַק occurs five times, always in exilic or post-exilic settings. Each instance involves the idea of leaving, permitting, or allowing something to remain, underscoring both divine sovereignty and mercy in the unfolding of redemptive history.
Primary Usage in Scripture
1. Ezra 6:7
"Leave the work on this house of God alone".
King Darius orders regional officials to stop hindering the rebuilding of the temple. The word signals a royal permission that aligns earthly authority with God’s covenant purpose.
2. Daniel 2:44
"Nor will it be left to another people".
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, declaring that the eternal kingdom God will establish cannot be handed over to anyone else. The term highlights the inviolability of God’s reign.
"Leave the stump with its roots in the ground".
In the dream of the felled tree, the stump represents Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom preserved for future restoration once he recognizes Heaven’s rule. The repeated "leave" underscores judgment tempered by grace.
Historical Backdrop
Ezra 6:7 reflects the Persian policy of toleration that allowed exiled peoples to restore native worship—yet behind the decree stands the Lord’s providence, ensuring the temple’s completion (Ezra 6:14).
Daniel’s occurrences are set in Babylon, where God’s people lived under foreign dominion. The verb frames divine messages to rulers, showing that kings may issue edicts or suffer humiliation, but only because God allows or withholds.
Theological Emphases
Sovereignty: Every use of שְׁבַק traces permission back to God. Whether permitting construction, preserving a king’s throne, or guaranteeing an everlasting kingdom, the ultimate decision lies with Him.
Judgment and Mercy: In Daniel 4 the stump left in the ground symbolizes God’s willingness to discipline without annihilating. The preservation of roots testifies to His restorative intent.
Covenant Continuity: Ezra 6 links the post-exilic community with the earlier covenant people. The command to "leave" the work alone safeguards the promise that worship will continue in Jerusalem.
Christological and Prophetic Connections
Daniel 2:44 looks forward to the Messiah’s reign—a kingdom "that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people." The inability to transfer or terminate this kingdom anticipates Jesus Christ’s perpetual lordship (Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15).
Ministry and Practical Implications
• Encouraging Perseverance: Builders facing opposition, like the returnees in Ezra, can trust God to "leave" open the doors necessary for His work.
• Hope after Discipline: Believers who experience God’s chastening find assurance in the stump imagery that restoration follows repentance.
• Evangelistic Certainty: The kingdom proclaimed in the gospel is immovable; it will not be left to another people, so missionaries labor with confidence.
Related Passages for Further Study
Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 29:10–14; Matthew 28:18–20; Hebrews 12:5–11
Daniel 2:44
HEB: אָחֳרָ֖ן לָ֣א תִשְׁתְּבִ֑ק תַּדִּ֤ק וְתָסֵיף֙
NAS: and [that] kingdom will not be left for another
KJV: shall not be left to other
INT: to other or even will not be left will crush and put
Daniel 4:15
HEB: שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ בְּאַרְעָ֣א שְׁבֻ֔קוּ וּבֶֽאֱסוּר֙ דִּֽי־
NAS: Yet leave the stump with its roots
KJV: Nevertheless leave the stump
INT: roots the ground leave A band forasmuch
Daniel 4:23
HEB: שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙ בְּאַרְעָ֣א שְׁבֻ֔קוּ וּבֶאֱסוּר֙ דִּֽי־
NAS: it; yet leave the stump
KJV: it; yet leave the stump
INT: roots the ground leave A band forasmuch
Daniel 4:26
HEB: וְדִ֣י אֲמַ֗רוּ לְמִשְׁבַּ֞ק עִקַּ֤ר שָׁרְשׁ֙וֹהִי֙
NAS: And in that it was commanded to leave the stump
KJV: And whereas they commanded to leave the stump
INT: that it was commanded to leave the stump the roots
5 Occurrences
Strong's Hebrew 7662
5 Occurrences
lə·miš·baq — 1 Occ.
šə·ḇu·qū — 3 Occ.
ṯiš·tə·ḇiq — 1 Occ.