English · KJV
H7825

שְׁחִית

shᵉchîyth /shekh-eeth'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom שָׁחָה
Meaninga pit-fall (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagedestruction, pit.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉchîyth — 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 shᵉchîyth, represented by H7825, signifies a pit-fall or destruction. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from שָׁחָה, its definition includes both a literal pit and the figurative state of being destroyed, highlighting its use for physical traps and dire circumstances.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H7825 illustrate its dual meaning. In Psalms, it refers to a state of ruin, where God "sent H7971 his word H1697, and healed H7495 them, and delivered H4422 them from their destructions" Psalms 107:20. In contrast, Lamentations uses the word to describe literal traps, lamenting that "the anointed H4899 of the LORD H3068, was taken H3920 in their pits" Lamentations 4:20. This capture signifies a national catastrophe, as a key leader was ensnared.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context of being caught in or delivered from a pit:

  • H3920 lâkad (to catch): This verb describes the action of the pitfall. It is used in Lamentations 4:20 to state that the LORD's anointed "was taken" in the pits, directly linking the word to the act of capture.
  • H4422 mâlaṭ (to release or rescue): This term presents the direct contrast to the peril of H7825. In Psalms 107:20, God delivered his people from their destructions, showing a divine rescue from this state of ruin.
  • H1697 dâbâr (a word): This is identified as the instrument of deliverance. It is God's "word H1697" that is sent to heal and rescue from the "destructions H7825" in Psalms 107:20.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7825 is seen in its portrayal of both peril and rescue.

  • Divine Deliverance: The term is used to magnify God's power to save. He is the one who can deliver people from "destructions H7825," doing so by sending His word to heal and restore them Psalms 107:20.
  • Metaphor for Ensnarement: The "pits H7825" in Lamentations 4:20 function as a powerful metaphor for the downfall and capture of God's chosen leader, the "anointed H4899 of the LORD H3068," illustrating a state of defeat and helplessness.
  • Loss of Protection: The capture of the anointed in the "pits" leads to a loss of hope for the people, who had said, "Under his shadow H6738 we shall live H2421" Lamentations 4:20. The pit thus represents a strategic blow that dismantles the security of the nation.

Summary

In summary, H7825 is a potent term that conveys both a physical trap and a state of figurative ruin. Though used sparingly, it effectively illustrates the concepts of calamitous downfall, as seen in the capture of the LORD's anointed, and the ultimate hope of divine deliverance from such destructions through God's powerful word.

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 noun across 1 occurrence, 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.

  • שְׁחִיתוֹתָ

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.

H7971 שָׁלַח a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on t H1697 דָּבָר from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, H7495 רָפָא or רָפָה; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure; cure, (cause to) heal, physic H4422 מָלַט a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to relea H4899 מָשִׁיחַ from מָשַׁח; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the Messiah; anointed, H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו

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 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms and Lamentations (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Psalms
1
Lamentations

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.