Word Study for H7981 (שְׁלֵט)

shᵉlêṭ /shel-ate'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁלַט

Meaning(to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication, to permit)

KJV usagehave the mastery, have power, bear rule, be (make) ruler.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉlêṭ — 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 Aramaic word shᵉlêṭ, represented by H7981, corresponds to the concept of domination and governance. Its definition includes to have the mastery, have power, bear rule, or to be (make) ruler. It appears 7 times across 7 unique verses, exclusively within the book of Daniel, where it defines various forms of authority and control.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7981 is used to describe both human appointments and elemental forces. It signifies a high position of authority within a kingdom, such as when Daniel is made ruler over the province of Babylon Daniel 2:48 or when a reward is offered to become the third ruler in the kingdom (Daniel 5:7, Daniel 5:16). The word also depicts the scope of dominion, as a future kingdom is prophesied to bear rule over all the earth Daniel 2:39. Beyond political power, it is used to describe how the fire had no power over the bodies of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel 3:27, and conversely, how the lions had the mastery of Daniel's accusers Daniel 6:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide context for the structures of power and authority:

H4430 melek (a king): This term for a monarch often appears as the one who grants power. The king makes Daniel ruler Daniel 2:48 and offers a high position of rulership as a reward Daniel 5:7. The authority of the king is contrasted with the ultimate authority of God, who sets up and removes kings Daniel 2:44.
H5460 çᵉgan (a prefect of aprovince; governor): This word refers to an official rank within the government. When Daniel was made ruler, he was placed as chief over all the governors of Babylon Daniel 2:48. These governors were also witnesses to God's power when the fire could not harm Daniel's companions Daniel 3:27.
H5705 ʻad (as far as, until): This word denotes duration or extent. It is used idiomatically with H7981 in the phrase "had the mastery" Daniel 6:24. It also describes the eternal nature of God's dominion, which continues unto the end Daniel 6:26.
H7229 rab (chief, great, master): This term signifies high rank or greatness. Daniel was appointed chief of the governors Daniel 2:48 and master of the magicians Daniel 5:11. The word is also used to describe the great God Daniel 2:45.

Theological Significance

The use of H7981 highlights several key themes centered on power and dominion.

Delegated Authority: The power to rule is consistently shown as something granted by a higher authority. A king can make someone a ruler (Daniel 2:38, Daniel 2:48), demonstrating a clear chain of command in earthly kingdoms.
Dominion Over Nature: Rulership is not limited to people. God gave Nebuchadnezzar the authority to be ruler over the beasts of the field and fowls of the heaven Daniel 2:38. In a contrasting display, the lions had the mastery over men, showing the raw power of the natural world Daniel 6:24.
The Limits of Earthly Power: A significant theme is that worldly power is finite. This is vividly illustrated when fire, a powerful force, has no power over those protected by God Daniel 3:27, showing a divine authority that supersedes physical laws.
Prophetic Rulership: The term is integral to prophecy, describing the scope of future empires. The vision of a coming kingdom that will bear rule over the whole earth places the concept of dominion within God's sovereign historical plan Daniel 2:39.

Summary

In summary, H7981 is a potent Aramaic word for control and rulership. Within the book of Daniel, it effectively conveys concepts of political hierarchy, the extent of dominion over creation, and the ultimate limitations of earthly power when confronted with divine authority. It is a cornerstone for understanding the dynamics of governance and sovereignty in both the human and prophetic realms.

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 7 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — 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.

הַשְׁלְטָ
תִּשְׁלַט
תִשְׁלַט
יִשְׁלַט
שְׁלִטוּ
שְׁלֵט

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

7 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.