שָׁסַע
sha.sa
to cleave
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word שָׁסַע (sha.sa) is defined as "to cleave." This verb suggests a sense of splitting or separating, often in a physical or literal sense. Given its semantic domain of "Movement & Travel," it appears that שָׁסַע can convey the idea of a physical break or division in a person's path or movement, possibly indicating a fork in the road, a breach, or an obstacle. The range of usage for שָׁסַע is quite narrow, with only 9 occurrences in the Bible. This scarcity suggests that the word carries a specific significance, perhaps emphasizing the unexpected or dramatic nature of an event. For instance, when referring to a mountain cleaving (Job 14:18), it may imply sudden or violent disruption. Understanding שָׁסַע requires considering its literal meaning within its specific context. Its limited occurrences and distinctive definition set apart the significance of this word, highlighting the impact of unexpected events or physical separations on the narrative or individual being described in the Bible.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Leviticus 11:3Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
Leviticus 11:7The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:26“ ‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.
Deuteronomy 14:6Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.
Deuteronomy 14:7Nevertheless these you shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of those who have the hoof split: the camel, the hare, and the rabbit. Because they chew the cud but don’t part the hoof, they are unclean to you.
Judges 14:6Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:6Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done.
1 Samuel 24:7So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.