Quranic root
صبأ
ṣ · b · ʾ
The attested lexical field centers on coming forth or emerging, with an extension to leaving an established religion.
The religious sense is explicitly related to the image of stars coming forth from their rising place. Other attested uses involve coming upon someone, directing an enemy toward people, and entering food; these remain distinct lexical constructions.
- Lane · entry 25230
- Lane · entry 25232
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
صَابِئٌ
ṣābiʾun
- Part of speech
- Proper noun · active participle form
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
One who leaves one religion for another.
In the Quran, attested in the plural forms صَابِئُونَ and صَابِئِينَ; the plural may be understood descriptively as those who depart from one religion to another.
- Lane · entry 25232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:62word 7
“and the Sabians”
Quran 5:69word 6
“and the Sabians”
Quran 22:17word 6
“and the Sabians”
A Sabian: a member of the religious community known as the Sabians.
In the Quran, the term functions as a plural community designation. Classical descriptions of the community vary, including accounts associating it with people possessing scripture, Christianity-like practice, Noah, angels, or star worship; these are variant identifications of the community rather than separate lexical senses.
- Lane · entry 25232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:62word 7
“and the Sabians”
Quran 5:69word 6
“and the Sabians”
Quran 22:17word 6
“and the Sabians”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:62وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَand the Sabians
- 5:69وَٱلصَّـٰبِـُٔونَand the Sabians
- 22:17وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَand the Sabians
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 5 Classical meanings
صَبَأَ
To come forth or emerge: of a tooth, tusk, or extremity of a hoofed animal, to grow out; of a star or the moon, to rise or appear.
Used for the emergence or rising of the specified bodily or celestial referents.
- Lane · entry 25230
صَبَأَ
To leave one religion for another; to become a Sabian.
This is the Form I verb corresponding to the religious-departure sense expressed by the Quranic noun صَابِئٌ.
- Lane · entry 25230
صَبَأَ
To come forth upon or against someone, especially unexpectedly or with hostility.
Used with عَلَيْهِ or عَلَيْهِمْ for an unexpected or hostile arrival upon someone.
- Lane · entry 25230
صَبَأَ
To guide an enemy toward a group of people.
A causative-directional construction reported with the enemy as the object guided toward others.
- Lane · entry 25230
صَبَأَ
To put a hand, finger, or head into food.
Attested in food-related constructions, including inserting a hand or finger into food and an animal putting its head into it.
- Lane · entry 25230
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic occurrences are morphologically tagged as a proper noun and are attested only in plural forms; صَابِئٌ is used here as the classical citation headword.
The historical identification of the Sabians is disputed in the classical evidence, so the community sense does not assert one definitive religious or historical identity.
Lane's Quran citation is preserved as lexical evidence but is not converted into a modern verse location; the listed locations come from QAC.