שָׂחוּ
sa.chu
swimming
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word שָׂחוּ (sa.chu) is defined as "swimming". It occurs only once in the Bible. This single occurrence suggests that the concept of swimming is not a common theme in the biblical text, but when it is mentioned, it is used to convey a specific idea. Given its definition, it is likely that the word שָׂחוּ refers to the act of moving through water using one's limbs, similar to how we understand swimming today. The use of this word in the Bible may not be limited to leisure activities, but could also imply a means of transportation or a method of escape. The significance of this word lies in its unique occurrence in the biblical text, which may indicate that the concept of swimming was not a prominent aspect of ancient Hebrew culture or daily life. However, its presence highlights the importance of water and aquatic activities in the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text