### 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.
TRV