Semitic word root √ṣbˀ
The root √ṣbˀ refers to things that are added or joined together.
Bands, groups, troops of people
Akkadian ṣb = groups, bands of people
In Akkadian, ṣāb was the generic prefix for any unit of people that was joined together for administrative purposes. Very many designations used this prefix.
𒂟 ṣābu : (able-bodied) man, soldier, (plural) people, soldiers / troops, hosts — Akkadian (AAF)
Hebrew ṣbˀ = bands of people, warfare
In Hebrew, the meaning of troops as “joined people” extended into the general meaning of “war”.
צבא ṣbˀ tsaba : gone to war, mustered, perform, served, serving women, wage war, war — Old Hebrew (Strong)
צבא ṣbˀ tsaba : army, battle, combat, forced to labor, hardship, host, service, trained, war, warfare — Old Hebrew (Strong)
Animals with antlers
Animals with joined antlers, such as gazelles or deer, were named with the √ṣb root.
Akkadian ṣb = gazelle
Hebrew ṣb = gazelle
Aramaic ṭb = gazelle, deer
Capturing, seizing, possession, litigation
In Akkadian, taking possession is also seen as “joining” things.
Akkadian ṣbt = seize, enclose, take possession
𒁳 ṣabātu : to seize, to arrest, to capture; to engage in litigation; to bind, set, enclose; to take possession repeatedly; to equip, provide; to install, put in place; to ignite; to settle; to be seized; to seize one another, litigate — Akkadian (AAF)
ṣābitānu : a captor, one who seized / took possession — Akkadian (AAF)
ṣabtu : captured, taken; prisoner; put to work; received (goods); drawn-up (tablet) — Akkadian (AAF)
ṣibittu : captivity, imprisonment; capture / possession; a basin / an enclosure for irrigation; procedures; disagreement (?) — Akkadian (AAF)