The Hebrew verb sabah means to be satisfied, to have enough, to be full, or to be sated. Appearing about 96 times in the Old Testament, it expresses the state of complete satisfaction — whether physical (food and drink) or spiritual (in God's presence).
Sabah operates on two levels throughout Scripture. Physically, it describes being full from eating — a blessing God promised to His obedient people (Leviticus 26:5; Deuteronomy 8:10). The wilderness manna was given so Israel would be satisfied (Exodus 16:8). But the deeper theological dimension emerges in the Psalms: 'I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you' (Psalm 63:5). Psalm 17:15 declares the ultimate satisfaction of the righteous: 'As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.' This anticipates the beatific vision — the final, eternal fullness in God's presence. In contrast, the wicked are never truly satisfied (Proverbs 27:20; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Jesus echoes this theme: 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled' (Matthew 5:6).