English · KJV
H7820

שָׁחַט

shâchaṭ /shaw-khat'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (identical with שָׁחַט through the idea of striking)
Meaningto hammer out
KJV usagebeat.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâchaṭ — 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 shâchaṭ, represented by H7820, is a primitive root defined as to hammer out; beat. It is a very specific term, appearing only 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is consistently tied to the craft of fashioning items from precious metal through a process of striking.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7820 is used exclusively within the accounts of King Solomon's immense wealth. The word describes the manufacturing process for hundreds of ornate shields and targets, as in the statement that "king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold" 1 Kings 10:16. This act of craftsmanship is recorded in parallel accounts, which note that "three hundred shields made he of beaten gold" 2 Chronicles 9:16. These valuable items were then placed by the king "in the house of the forest of Lebanon" 1 Kings 10:17, serving as a display of his kingdom's splendor.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the creation and nature of these objects:

  • H6213 ʻâsâh (to do or make): This foundational verb describes the act of creation itself. Solomon "made" (ʻâsâh) the shields that were then specifically described as being of "beaten" (shâchaṭ) gold 1 Kings 10:16.
  • H6793 tsinnâh (a hook... a (large) shield): This word identifies the "targets" that were fashioned from the beaten gold 1 Kings 10:16. While it can also mean "hook," here it denotes a large shield.

Theological Significance

The significance of H7820 is tied to the narrative of Solomon's reign and prosperity.

  • Royal Splendor: The term is used to emphasize the grandeur and opulence of Solomon's court. The creation of hundreds of shields from beaten gold was a display of unparalleled wealth and power 1 Kings 10:16-17.
  • Deliberate Craftsmanship: The action of "beating" gold implies intensive labor and skill, transforming a raw material into a finished object of great value and artistry, suitable for a king's treasury.
  • Tangible Wealth: These items were not merely decorative but represented a significant portion of the kingdom's tangible assets, stored carefully in "the house of the forest of Lebanon" 2 Chronicles 9:16.

Summary

In summary, H7820 is a precise manufacturing term meaning "to hammer out" or "beat." Though its usage is rare, it is impactful, exclusively detailing the creation of King Solomon's golden shields and targets. The word shâchaṭ provides a vivid, concrete detail that contributes to the larger biblical theme of Solomon's magnificent and prosperous kingdom, showing how a simple action word can illustrate royal power and divine blessing.

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 across 5 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • שָׁחוּט

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.

H6213 עָשָׂה a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, H6793 צִנָּה feminine of צֵן; a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as piercing); bu

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 4 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles (2 verses each); never once in the other 37.

2
1 Kings
2
2 Chronicles

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, by grammatical form, 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.