English · KJV
H7683

שָׁגַג

shâgag /shaw-gag'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with more or less apology)
KJV usagedeceived, err, go astray, sin ignorantly.
Idioms & phrasesidiom also for that

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâgag — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâgag, represented by H7683, is a primitive root meaning to stray or sin ignorantly. It is used to describe an error, a deception, or a sin committed with some degree of apology or lack of awareness. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses, highlighting its specific application for unintentional transgressions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H7683 defines a particular category of sin. In the Levitical law, it describes a person who erred and requires the priest to make atonement for his ignorance Leviticus 5:18. This is reiterated in the context of a soul that sinneth ignorantly Numbers 15:28. The term also appears in a broader sense, as in Job's declaration that both "the deceived and the deceiver" belong to God Job 12:16. In Psalms, the psalmist reflects, "Before I was afflicted I went astray" Psalms 119:67, connecting the act of straying with personal experience and discipline. An idiomatic use appears in Genesis 6:3, where it is part of the reason given for God's judgment on man's fleshly state.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of sinning through error:

  • H7684 shᵉgâgâh: This noun form of the verb means "a mistake or inadvertent transgression; error, ignorance, at unawares; unwittingly." It is often used in tandem with H7683 to specify a sin committed "through ignorance" Leviticus 5:18.
  • H7686 shâgâh: A similar primitive root meaning "to stray... mistake... transgress." It is used to describe those who err from God's commandments Psalms 119:21 and is paired with H7683 in Job to contrast the deceiver with the deceived Job 12:16.
  • H2398 châṭâʼ: This is a general term for sin, meaning "to miss." It appears alongside H7683 in Numbers 15:28 to distinguish the specific act of sinning ignorantly from the general act of sinning.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H7683 is centered on the nature of sin and atonement.

  • The Sin of Ignorance: The word establishes a clear biblical category for unintentional sin. The law provided a specific path for atonement for someone who erred without full knowledge, demonstrating God's provision for human fallibility (Leviticus 5:18, Numbers 15:28).
  • Straying and Discipline: The connection between going astray and affliction suggests a corrective aspect to God's discipline. The experience of affliction is shown to be a catalyst for returning to God's word Psalms 119:67.
  • God's Sovereignty over Error: The assertion that "the deceived and the deceiver are his" places all human error, whether committed or caused, within the scope of God's ultimate authority Job 12:16.

Summary

In summary, H7683 is a precise term that moves beyond a general concept of sin. It specifically addresses the act of straying, erring, or being deceived, often through ignorance. Its use in the legal codes, poetic literature, and patriarchal narratives reveals a nuanced understanding of human weakness and divine justice, highlighting that even unintentional sin requires atonement while acknowledging it as distinct from willful rebellion.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adverb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Adverb 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H7684 שְׁגָגָה from שָׁגַג; a mistake or inadvertent transgression; error, ignorance, at unawares; unwittingly. H7686 שָׁגָה a primitive root; to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress H2398 חָטָא a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate,

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 5 of the 39 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 34.

1
Genesis
1
Leviticus
1
Numbers
1
Job
1
Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.