Lexical Summary nesibbah: Circuit, roundabout way, surroundings Original Word: נְסִבָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cause Feminine participle passive of cabab; properly, an environment, i.e. Circumstance or turn of affairs -- cause. see HEBREW cabab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sabab Definition turn of affairs NASB Translation turn (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְסִבָּה noun feminine turn of affairs; — absolute 2 Chronicles 10:15 (= סִבָּה q. v. "" 1 Kings 12:15). Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence 2 Chronicles 10:15 contains the sole appearance of נְסִבָּה. The Chronicler records, “So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word that the LORD had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat” (Berean Standard Bible). The term designates the decisive shift in Israel’s national life that led to the division between the Northern and Southern kingdoms. Contextual Background Rehoboam’s harsh response to Israel’s elders ignited a revolt that seemed, on the surface, political and interpersonal. The inspired writer, however, pulls back the curtain to reveal a divine design. The “turn of events” was not random: it fulfilled prophetic Word previously delivered (1 Kings 11:29-39). Thus the word marks the convergence of human choice and divine purpose. Theological Implications 1. Divine Sovereignty. נְסִבָּה emphasizes God’s unseen governance of history. Even rebellion and political upheaval serve the unfolding of His covenant purposes (Isaiah 14:24; Proverbs 19:21). Related Biblical Themes • Providential “turns.” Comparable statements appear in Genesis 50:20; Judges 14:4; Esther 4:14, each showing God redirecting circumstances for His redemptive ends. Application for Ministry 1. Shepherding Perspective. Pastors can reassure congregations that unexpected shifts in culture or personal life may be divinely purposed, encouraging steadfast faith. Historical Impact The Chronicler wrote to a post-exilic community pondering past tragedies. By highlighting נְסִבָּה, he taught that even national calamity advanced God’s promise of a Davidic Messiah. Subsequent Jewish and Christian readers have drawn comfort, seeing in every upheaval a potential stage for divine fulfillment. Thus, though נְסִבָּה appears only once, it encapsulates a sweeping biblical conviction: God turns the course of history to accomplish His steadfast Word. Forms and Transliterations נְסִבָּה֙ נסבה nə·sib·bāh nesibBah nəsibbāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 10:15 HEB: כִּֽי־ הָיְתָ֤ה נְסִבָּה֙ מֵעִ֣ם הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים NAS: to the people, for it was a turn [of events] from God KJV: not unto the people: for the cause was of God, INT: for it was A turn from God 1 Occurrence |