or שִׁדָּפוֹן; from שָׁדַף; blight; blasted(-ing).
Transliteration:shᵉdêphâh
Pronunciation:shed-ay-faw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term שְׁדֵפָה (shᵉdêphâh), Strong's number `{{H7711}}`, along with its closely related variant שִׁדָּפוֹן (shiddâphôn), Strong's number `{{H7710}}`, derives from the verbal root שָׁדַף (shâdaph), Strong's number `{{H7709}}`, meaning "to scorch," "to blast," or "to blight." As a noun, שְׁדֵפָה refers to the *effect* of this scorching action on plant life, specifically "blight" or "blasting." It describes a destructive condition where crops, particularly grain, wither, turn yellow, or are otherwise damaged by scorching winds, excessive heat, or disease, preventing them from maturing and yielding fruit. It signifies a failure of the harvest due to environmental or pathological factors, often understood in the biblical context as a manifestation of divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term and its variant appear in several significant biblical passages, consistently denoting agricultural devastation:
* In [[Genesis 41:23]] and [[Genesis 41:27]], Pharaoh's dream vividly depicts seven thin, "blasted" (שְׁדֵפוֹת) ears of grain devouring seven full ears. Here, the word clearly foreshadows a period of severe famine and scarcity, illustrating the destructive power of agricultural failure.
* [[Deuteronomy 28:22]] lists "blasting" (שִׁדָּפוֹן) as one of the curses the Lord will inflict upon Israel for disobedience, alongside consumption, fever, inflammation, and drought. This explicitly links agricultural disaster to divine displeasure and covenant violation.
* Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple in [[1 Kings 8:37]] and [[2 Chronicles 6:28]] anticipates times when "blasting" (שִׁדָּפוֹן) or mildew might occur. He prays that if such calamities befall the land, and the people turn to God in repentance, God would hear and forgive. This shows "blasting" as a recognized form of national distress, prompting prayer and seeking divine intervention.
* The prophet Amos declares in [[Amos 4:9]] that God has struck His people with "blasting" (שִׁדָּפוֹן) and mildew, yet they did not return to Him. This highlights God's use of agricultural devastation as a disciplinary measure intended to call His people to repentance.
* Similarly, in [[Haggai 2:17]], God reminds the post-exilic community that He struck them with "blasting" (שִׁדָּפוֹן), mildew, and hail because they were neglecting the rebuilding of the Temple, yet they still did not turn to Him. This reinforces the theme of divine discipline through agricultural means, aimed at provoking spiritual introspection and obedience.
Across these contexts, "blight" consistently refers to a specific type of agricultural catastrophe, often presented as a direct consequence of divine action, serving as a warning, discipline, or judgment for the people's unfaithfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **שָׁדַף (shâdaph), `{{H7709}}`**: The verbal root from which שְׁדֵפָה is derived, meaning "to scorch," "to blast," or "to blight." It describes the action that results in the condition of blight.
* **שִׁדָּפוֹן (shiddâphôn), `{{H7710}}`**: A synonymous noun, often translated identically as "blasting" or "blight." The two terms are largely interchangeable in biblical usage and share the same core meaning.
* **יֵרָקוֹן (yerāqôn), `{{H3409}}`**: Meaning "mildew" or "yellowing." This term is frequently paired with שְׁדֵפָה/שִׁדָּפוֹן in lists of agricultural curses (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:22]], [[1 Kings 8:37]], [[Amos 4:9]], [[Haggai 2:17]]). This pairing emphasizes a comprehensive agricultural disaster, indicating both scorching and fungal diseases affecting crops.
* **רָעָב (ra'av), `{{H7458}}`**: "Famine." Blight is a direct cause or manifestation of famine, as it destroys the food supply, leading to widespread scarcity and hunger.
* **קְלָלָה (qelalah), `{{H7045}}`**: "Curse." In the Deuteronomic covenant framework, blight is explicitly enumerated as a curse for disobedience, signifying the withdrawal of divine blessing and the imposition of hardship.
* **מַגֵּפָה (maggēphâh), `{{H4046}}`**: "Plague" or "stroke." While not a direct synonym, blight can be understood as a type of agricultural plague, a widespread affliction that devastates the land.
### Theological Significance
The consistent biblical portrayal of שְׁדֵפָה (blight) carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nature**: The repeated attribution of "blasting" to God's direct action (e.g., "The Lord will strike you with blasting," [[Deuteronomy 28:22]]; "I struck you with blasting," [[Haggai 2:17]]) powerfully underscores His absolute control over the natural world and its productivity. God can bless the land with fruitfulness or withhold its yield.
* **Consequence of Disobedience**: Blight serves as a tangible and severe consequence for covenant disobedience and spiritual unfaithfulness. It is a clear sign that the covenant blessings of agricultural prosperity have been withdrawn due to the people's sin, particularly their idolatry and neglect of God's commands.
* **Call to Repentance**: While a form of judgment, blight is consistently presented as a means of divine discipline intended to bring the people to repentance. Prophets like Amos and Haggai highlight that despite experiencing such devastating agricultural failures, the people often failed to turn back to God, revealing their stubbornness and spiritual blindness.
* **Symbol of Barrenness and Futility**: In Pharaoh's dream, the blasted ears symbolize future barrenness and futility, illustrating a time of scarcity that consumes prosperity. This extends the meaning beyond mere agricultural failure to a broader sense of national decline or hardship, signaling unproductive efforts and wasted resources.
* **God's Justice and Faithfulness**: God's use of blight demonstrates His justice in upholding His covenant. It also implicitly underscores His faithfulness to His promises of blessing *if* His people obey, making the experience of blight a stark reminder of what is lost through unfaithfulness and rebellion.
### Summary
The Hebrew term שְׁדֵפָה (shᵉdêphâh), `{{H7711}}`, and its close variant שִׁדָּפוֹן (shiddâphôn), `{{H7710}}`, denote "blight" or "blasting," signifying the scorching and destruction of crops. Derived from the root שָׁדַף (shâdaph), `{{H7709}}`, meaning "to scorch," these terms describe a severe agricultural affliction leading to crop failure and famine. Throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in the Deuteronomic covenant curses, Solomon's prayer, and the prophetic messages of Amos and Haggai, "blight" is presented not merely as a natural phenomenon but as a direct instrument of divine action. Its theological significance is profound: it demonstrates God's sovereign control over creation, serves as a tangible consequence for covenant disobedience, functions as a call to repentance, and symbolizes the barrenness and futility that result from spiritual unfaithfulness. The recurring theme is that physical prosperity is intrinsically linked to spiritual fidelity, and God can justly withdraw His blessings when His people stray from His path.
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