a primitive root; to rumble or moan; [idiom] mightily, roar.
Transliteration:shâʼag
Pronunciation:shaw-ag'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) is a primitive root, fundamentally conveying the sense of a deep, resonant, and powerful sound. Its primary meaning is "to roar," most commonly associated with a lion. This roar is not merely a sound but an expression of immense power, hunger, authority, or warning. Beyond the animal kingdom, the semantic range extends to encompass a "rumbling" or "moaning," suggesting a profound internal agitation or distress when applied to humans. It can also describe the mighty, authoritative voice of God, signifying His impending judgment or powerful declaration. The core essence is a sound that commands attention, often inspiring fear or indicating significant action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) appears approximately 13 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in prophetic and poetic literature, highlighting its evocative power.
Its most frequent and iconic usage describes the roar of a lion:
* In [[Judges 14:5]], Samson encounters a young lion that "roared against him," depicting a direct, aggressive confrontation.
* [[Psalm 104:21]] speaks of young lions "roaring after their prey," illustrating their instinctual hunt and the sound of their hunger in the wilderness.
* [[Isaiah 5:29]] uses the imagery of a nation's destructive advance, likening their "roaring" to that of a lion seizing its prey, emphasizing their ferocity and insatiable desire.
Crucially, shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) is powerfully employed to describe the voice of God, signifying His authoritative pronouncements and impending judgment:
* In [[Amos 1:2]] and [[Amos 3:8]], the prophet declares, "The Lord will roar from Zion," or "The lion has roared; who will not fear?" This portrays God's voice as a terrifying, undeniable declaration of judgment against Israel and the surrounding nations. His roar is a divine warning, a call to attention before the execution of His justice.
* [[Jeremiah 25:30]] echoes this theme: "The Lord will roar from on high... he will give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth." Here, God's roar is linked to the judgment of all nations, a powerful, inescapable sound of divine retribution.
* Similarly, [[Hosea 11:10]] speaks of the Lord "roaring like a lion," after which His children "shall come trembling from the west." This roar, while still powerful, also serves as a call for repentance and return, indicating God's desire for His people to come back to Him, albeit with fear and awe.
Less frequently, shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) describes human expression, particularly in states of deep distress or lament:
* [[Psalm 38:8]] (KJV: "I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart") depicts a person's profound inner turmoil manifesting as a deep, guttural cry, akin to a moan or groan born of anguish. This use highlights the intensity of the suffering.
* [[Psalm 74:4]] describes enemies who "roar in the midst of thy congregations," signifying their triumphant, blasphemous shouts within sacred spaces, an act of desecration and defiance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) is enriched by its association with several related words and concepts:
* **Lion Imagery:** The most direct conceptual link is to the lion itself, represented by words like ʼariy (`{{H7389}}`) or labiyʼ (`{{H3917}}`). The lion's roar is a quintessential expression of its power, dominance, and predatory nature, which is then transferred to God's voice or human anguish.
* **Voice/Sound:** While qol (`{{H6963}}`) is the general word for "voice" or "sound," shâʼag specifies a particular *kind* of powerful, often terrifying, sound.
* **Crying/Groaning:** Other words for human lament or distress, such as naqaq (to groan, `{{H5098}}`) or tsaʻaq (to cry out, `{{H6817}}`), share the semantic field of expressing deep emotional pain, though shâʼag conveys a more guttural, profound, and often involuntary sound.
* **Divine Judgment and Authority:** The concept of God's authoritative pronouncements and impending judgment is a key theological thread connecting shâʼag to prophetic themes. This links it to concepts like divine wrath, justice, and the fulfillment of prophecy.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) is profound, especially in its application to the divine:
* **God's Sovereignty and Authority:** When God "roars," it is a powerful declaration of His absolute sovereignty over creation and history. His roar is not a mere sound but an act of divine will, an authoritative pronouncement that brings about what it declares. It underscores His position as the ultimate ruler and judge.
* **Impending Judgment:** The most prominent theological implication of God's roar is the announcement of impending judgment. It serves as a stark warning to both Israel and the nations, signaling that the time for reckoning has come. This roar is terrifying because it signifies the just execution of divine wrath against sin and rebellion.
* **Prophetic Warning:** The prophets often use this imagery to convey the urgency and certainty of God's word. The metaphor of the lion's roar, which compels all who hear it to fear, emphasizes the inescapable nature of God's prophetic warnings. When God roars, the prophets *must* speak ([[Amos 3:8]]).
* **Divine Presence and Intervention:** While often associated with judgment, God's roar also signifies His active, powerful presence in the world. It is a manifestation of His dynamic involvement in human affairs, whether calling His people to return or bringing about justice.
* **Human Anguish and Lament:** The use of shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) for human distress highlights the depth of human suffering and the raw, unrefined nature of lament before God. It speaks to the utter desolation and internal turmoil that can drive a person to such a profound, almost animalistic, cry.
### Summary
Shâʼag (`{{H7580}}`) is a potent Hebrew verb denoting a deep, powerful, and often terrifying sound, primarily the roar of a lion. Its semantic range extends to the mighty voice of God and the guttural groan of human anguish. Biblically, it most vividly portrays the lion's predatory power, but more significantly, it describes God's authoritative pronouncements, particularly His warnings of impending judgment and His active presence in the world. When God "roars," it signifies His absolute sovereignty, the certainty of His justice, and the inescapable nature of His word. In human context, it conveys the profound, visceral expression of internal distress. The word thus encapsulates themes of divine power, judgment, warning, and the raw depths of human suffering.
TRV