how to say “to capture” in Hebrew
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /]לִשְׁבּוֹת
As we saw in yesterday’s dose, the word לשבות[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /] could mean either to capture or to go on strike/to refrain from work. In to capture, the root is ש.ב.ה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /], whereas in to go on strike/to refrain from work, it’s ש.ב.ת[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /].
When we use לשבות in the past tense, what we mean becomes clear because we see the root:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /]הוא שבה את ליבה.
He captured her heart.
and the Biblical:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /]כי בו שבת מכל מלאכתו… (בראשית ב’, ג’)
For on it (that day) He rested from all his creative work… (Genesis 2:3)
Now that’s to capture a single human being. To capture or conquer a place is לכבוש[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/לשבותx-#.m4a” /].
