or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild.
Transliteration:sâdeh
Pronunciation:saw-deh'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`) primarily denotes a "field" or "open country." Derived from an unused root signifying "to spread out," its core meaning conveys a sense of flatness, openness, and expansiveness. This breadth allows for a wide semantic range, encompassing both cultivated agricultural land and uncultivated, wild areas. It can refer to a specific plot of ground, a broader rural landscape, or even the general "ground" or "soil." The term often stands in contrast to settled areas like cities (`{{H5892}}`) or houses (`{{H1004}}`), emphasizing its outdoor, often untamed, nature. Its usage can range from a fertile plot yielding crops to a desolate wilderness inhabited by wild beasts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`) appears hundreds of times in the Old Testament, illustrating its pervasive relevance to Israelite life.
1. **Agricultural Land:** Most commonly, it designates a cultivated field, the source of sustenance. [[Genesis 2:5]] speaks of no man to work the ground, implying the need for cultivation. [[Deuteronomy 22:9]] warns against sowing different kinds of seed in one's field. [[Ruth 2:2]] depicts Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz, highlighting its role in harvest and provision. The sluggard's neglected field is a picture of folly in [[Proverbs 24:30]].
2. **Open Country/Wilderness:** It frequently refers to open, uncultivated land, often inhabited by wild animals. Esau is described as a man of the field, a hunter, in [[Genesis 25:27]]. [[Psalm 8:7]] mentions the beasts of the field as part of God's creation, and [[Isaiah 56:9]] calls upon "all you beasts of the field" to devour. The narrative of Cain and Abel unfolds "in the field" where violence erupts ([[Genesis 4:8]]), underscoring its potential as a place of vulnerability and isolation.
3. **Place of Encounter/Battle:** The "field" serves as a common setting for significant events, including military encounters. Goliath challenges Israel in the field ([[1 Samuel 17:16]]), and battles are often fought there ([[2 Samuel 18:6]]).
4. **Property/Possession:** A field could be a valuable piece of property, bought and sold, signifying wealth and inheritance. Abraham's purchase of the field of Machpelah for a burial site in [[Genesis 23:9]] is a prime example of its significance as personal or tribal land.
5. **Figurative/Idiomatic Use:** "Beasts of the field" is a common idiom distinguishing wild animals from domesticated ones. The concept of "going out to the field" often implies engaging in work, hunting, or battle.
### Related Words & Concepts
שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`) is intimately connected with several other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **אֲדָמָה (adamah, `{{H127}}`):** While adamah refers broadly to "ground," "earth," or "soil," sâdeh often specifies a particular *type* of ground—an open, often cultivated or cultivable, expanse. sâdeh is a subset of adamah.
* **אֶרֶץ (erets, `{{H776}}`):** This term denotes "land," "earth," or "country" on a much larger scale, often referring to a nation's territory or the entire planet. sâdeh is a localized portion within the broader erets.
* **עִיר (ʿiyr, `{{H5892}}`):** "City" stands in direct contrast to sâdeh, highlighting the distinction between urban, settled life and rural, open spaces.
* **בַּיִת (bayit, `{{H1004}}`):** "House" or "home" also contrasts with sâdeh, emphasizing the private, enclosed dwelling versus the public, open environment.
* **Agriculture and Sustenance:** The concept of working the sâdeh is central to human sustenance and the divine command to "till and keep" the earth ([[Genesis 2:15]]).
* **Wilderness and Nature:** The sâdeh as wild, uncultivated land connects to themes of divine creation, the natural order, and humanity's relationship with the untamed world.
### Theological Significance
The word שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`) carries profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Provision:** The field is the primary source of food, symbolizing God's faithful provision for humanity and all living creatures ([[Psalm 104:14]]). Its fruitfulness is a sign of divine blessing, while barrenness can signify judgment ([[Deuteronomy 28:23-24]]).
2. **Human Labor and Stewardship:** From the very beginning, humanity is tasked with working the sâdeh ([[Genesis 2:15]]), reflecting a divine mandate for stewardship and productive labor. The curse in [[Genesis 3:17-19]] ties human toil directly to the sâdeh, highlighting the consequences of sin on creation and labor.
3. **Covenant and Inheritance:** The promise of land, the "field" of inheritance, is central to God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. The possession of fields signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Israel in the promised land ([[Joshua 24:13]]).
4. **Vulnerability and Trust:** Being in the open field can represent vulnerability to elements, wild animals, or enemies. This context often highlights the need for divine protection and trust in God's sovereignty.
5. **Metaphor for Life and Judgment:** Though more prominent in the New Testament (e.g., the parable of the weeds in the field), the concept of the sâdeh as a place where seeds are sown and harvests reaped provides a powerful metaphor for life's choices, spiritual growth, and ultimate judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew term שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`) is a rich and multifaceted word, primarily denoting an "open field" or "countryside." Its semantic range extends from cultivated agricultural land, vital for sustenance and human labor, to wild, uncultivated expanses inhabited by animals. Throughout the Old Testament, the sâdeh serves as a crucial backdrop for daily life, significant historical events, and profound theological truths. It underscores God's provision, humanity's call to stewardship, the fulfillment of covenant promises, and the interplay between human effort and divine blessing. The pervasive presence of sâdeh in the biblical narrative highlights its fundamental importance to the physical and spiritual landscape of ancient Israel.
TRV