### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun shᵉgîyʼâh (שְׁגִיאָה) `{{H7691}}` is derived from the verb shâgâh (שָׁגָה) `{{H7686}}`, which carries the core meaning of "to go astray," "to err," "to wander," or "to stray." As a noun, shᵉgîyʼâh therefore signifies the *act* or *result* of erring. Its base definition emphasizes "a moral mistake" or "error." This suggests a deviation from a correct path, a standard, or a truth, often carrying ethical or religious implications. Crucially, shᵉgîyʼâh typically points to an error committed unintentionally, through oversight, ignorance, or misjudgment, rather than a deliberate act of rebellion or malice. It describes a misstep or a slip that leads to a wrong outcome, highlighting human fallibility even in the absence of willful defiance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term shᵉgîyʼâh (שְׁגִיאָה) `{{H7691}}` appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, yet each instance offers significant insight into its meaning and theological weight.
* **[[Job 19:4]]**: "And if indeed I have erred, my error remains with myself."
* In this context, Job is responding to his friends' accusations and their insistence that his suffering is a direct result of his sin. Job concedes the possibility of having committed an "error" (shᵉgîyʼâh), but he asserts that any such error is his own private concern and consequence, not a justification for their judgmental pronouncements or God's severe treatment. Here, shᵉgîyʼâh refers to a personal failing, a mistake, or a deviation from wisdom or righteousness, perhaps one of which he is not fully aware or one that does not warrant the extent of his suffering. It underscores the human capacity for misjudgment or unwitting transgression.
* **[[Psalm 19:12]]**: "Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults."
* This is arguably the more profound usage. Following a glorious declaration of God's perfect law, the psalmist humbly asks, "Who can discern his errors (shᵉgîyʼâh)?" The parallelism with "hidden faults" (נִסְתָּרוֹת - *nistārôt*) strongly suggests that shᵉgîyʼâh refers to mistakes or transgressions committed unknowingly or unintentionally. The psalmist acknowledges that human beings are prone to errors that they may not even perceive, necessitating divine intervention for cleansing and forgiveness. This verse highlights the pervasive nature of sin and human imperfection, extending beyond conscious acts of rebellion to include inadvertent missteps that still require God's grace.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **shâgâh (שָׁגָה) `{{H7686}}`**: The root verb from which shᵉgîyʼâh is derived. It frequently appears in the Mosaic Law to describe unintentional sins (e.g., Leviticus 4:2, 13, 22, 27; Numbers 15:22-31), often requiring specific atonement sacrifices. This connection reinforces the idea of shᵉgîyʼâh as an unwitting or mistaken transgression.
* **chāṭāʼ (חָטָא) `{{H2398}}`**: A very broad term for "sin," meaning "to miss the mark." While shᵉgîyʼâh is a specific type of chāṭāʼ (an unintentional one), chāṭāʼ itself can encompass both intentional and unintentional wrongdoings.
* **ʿāwōn (עָוֹן) `{{H5771}}`**: "Iniquity," "guilt," or "punishment for sin." This term often emphasizes the perversity or crookedness of an act and the resulting state of guilt. An shᵉgîyʼâh could lead to a state of ʿāwōn if not addressed.
* **peshaʿ (פֶּשַׁע) `{{H6588}}`**: "Transgression," "rebellion." This term denotes a deliberate breaking of a covenant or a rebellious act against authority. shᵉgîyʼâh stands in clear contrast to peshaʿ as it lacks the element of intentional defiance or malice.
* **Unintentional Sin in the Law:** The extensive provisions in the Torah for sins committed "unintentionally" (often using the root shâgâh) underscore the theological importance of even unwitting errors before a holy God. These provisions highlight that even unknowingly committed transgressions require atonement and purification to maintain a right relationship with God.
### Theological Significance
The concept of shᵉgîyʼâh carries profound theological weight, particularly given its limited but impactful occurrences:
* **Universal Human Fallibility:** Both [[Job 19:4]] and [[Psalm 19:12]] underscore the inherent human propensity to err. This is not merely intellectual error but a "moral mistake," signifying a deviation from God's perfect standard, even when one strives for righteousness. It speaks to the deep-seated imperfection of humanity.
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** The psalmist's plea concerning "hidden faults" (Psalm 19:12) is particularly revelatory. It highlights that sin extends beyond conscious, deliberate acts to include inadvertent missteps, oversights, and even a general state of imperfection of which one is unaware. This emphasizes that no human being can claim complete blamelessness before God, as even their "unknown" errors are significant.
* **God's Absolute Holiness:** The fact that the Bible acknowledges and provides for "unintentional errors" implies that even such errors are not trivial in the eyes of a perfectly holy God. While they may differ in culpability from deliberate rebellion, they still constitute a blemish that requires divine attention, whether through the prescribed atonement of the Old Covenant or through the comprehensive cleansing offered by God's grace.
* **Dependence on Divine Revelation and Grace:** The context of [[Psalm 19:12]]—following praise for God's perfect law—suggests that without the light of God's Word, humanity remains blind to many of its own shᵉgîyʼâh. The law not only guides but also serves as a mirror, revealing the full extent of human imperfection. Consequently, the only hope for being acquitted of these hidden errors lies in God's mercy and cleansing power.
### Summary
The Hebrew word shᵉgîyʼâh (שְׁגִיאָה) `{{H7691}}`, derived from shâgâh `{{H7686}}`, denotes a "moral mistake" or "error," specifically one committed unintentionally or out of ignorance. Its two occurrences in the Old Testament provide critical theological insight. In [[Job 19:4]], it speaks to personal, perhaps unwitting, missteps. More significantly, [[Psalm 19:12]] uses shᵉgîyʼâh to refer to "hidden faults" – errors of which the individual is entirely unaware, highlighting the profound and pervasive nature of human imperfection. This concept underscores God's absolute holiness, before whom even unintentional errors are significant, and emphasizes the deep human need for divine grace, forgiveness, and the illuminating power of God's perfect law to reveal and cleanse from all forms of shᵉgîyʼâh. It distinguishes itself from deliberate rebellion while pointing to the universal human need for divine mercy and purification.
TRV