# \*ŝbh: 'to be like, resemble'

> Proto-Semitic *ŝbh, 'to be like, resemble': reflexes in 2 language(s).

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Semitic Roots](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/index.md>) › [ś](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/sin/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-26.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*ŝbh |
| Meaning | 'to be like, resemble' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ʾašbaha, šābaha 'he was, or became, like him; he resembled him'; šabbaha 'he made it to be like it; he likened it to it' (Lane 1499); šibh, šabah 'a like; a similar person or thing' (Lane 1500) | Lane 1499; Lane 1500 |  |
| Syrian Aramaic | sbah 'to be or become like'; sabbah 'to make like, to liken'; asbah 'to liken, compare, find a resemblance'; subhā 'likeness, resemblance' (Payne Smith 357); subhā 'likeness' (Brock. 454) | Payne Smith 357; Brock. 454 |  |

A form keeps its source's gloss only when the source is public domain or openly licensed.

## Notes

Brockelmann sets Syriac subhā beside Arabic šibh (Brock. 454). Arabic š answers Syriac s (\*ŝ). 2351 \*dmy 'to resemble, be like' is another root.

## Linked from

- [ś](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/sin/index.md>)

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/sin/3682_to_be_like_resemble/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.