### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
* **Lemma:** שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ)
* **Root:** The noun שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) is derived from the verbal root שָׁסַע (shasaʻ, `{{H8156}}`), which means "to split, cleave, tear open, divide."
* **Core Meaning:** Fundamentally, שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) denotes a "fissure," "cleft," or "division." It describes the result of something being split or torn apart.
* **Semantic Range:** In its biblical occurrences, its semantic range is highly specific, referring almost exclusively to:
* **Physical Division:** The anatomical feature of a "cloven hoof" in animals. This is its primary and virtually sole application in the Pentateuch, where it serves as a key descriptor in the dietary laws. While its root suggests broader application, the noun itself is narrowly specialized in the biblical text.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) appears consistently within the Mosaic dietary laws, specifically in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, where it defines one of the two essential physical characteristics for land animals to be considered clean for consumption.
* **Leviticus 11:3:** "Whatever divides the hoof (שֶׁסַע), having cloven hooves (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה), and chewing the cud among the animals, that you may eat." Here, the word is used twice: first to denote the general act of dividing, and then in the specific phrase "שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה" (sheçaʻ pĕrāsâ), meaning "a splitting of the hoof" or "cloven hoof." This verse establishes the dual criteria for clean animals.
* **Leviticus 11:7:** "And the swine, though it divides the hoof (שֶׁסַע) and is cloven-footed (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה), yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you." This illustrates an animal that meets the "cloven hoof" criterion but fails the "chewing the cud" test, thus remaining unclean.
* **Leviticus 11:26:** "Every animal that has a divided hoof (שֶׁסַע) but is not cloven-footed (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה), or does not chew the cud, is unclean to you." This verse emphasizes that the division must be complete and distinct, a true "cloven hoof," not merely an indentation.
* **Deuteronomy 14:6:** "And every animal that has a divided hoof (שֶׁסַע), and cloven hooves (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה), and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat." This reiterates the Levitical criteria, underscoring its importance in the covenant.
* **Deuteronomy 14:7:** "Nevertheless, these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה): the camel, the hare, and the rock badger, for they chew the cud but do not have cloven hooves; they are unclean to you." Similar to Leviticus 11:7, this provides further examples of animals failing one of the two criteria, reinforcing the necessity of both.
In all these instances, שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) functions as a precise technical term to describe the physical characteristic of a hoof that is completely split into two distinct parts, a fundamental marker in the divine classification of animals.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **שָׁסַע (shasaʻ, `{{H8156}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to split, cleave, tear." The noun שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) is the direct result or state of this action, the "fissure" itself. This verb is used in contexts such as splitting wood ([[Leviticus 1:17]]) or tearing garments ([[Genesis 37:29]]).
* **פְּרָסָה (pĕrāsâ, `{{H6539}}`):** This noun means "hoof" or "claw." It almost invariably appears alongside שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) in the construct phrase "שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה" (sheçaʻ pĕrāsâ), which specifically denotes a "cloven hoof."
* **טהור (tahor, `{{H2889}}`):** "Clean, pure." The state of an animal that meets the divine criteria, including having a "שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה" (sheçaʻ pĕrāsâ) and chewing the cud.
* **טמא (tameʼ, `{{H2931}}`):** "Unclean, impure." The state of an animal that fails to meet the criteria, making it forbidden for consumption.
* **כשר (kasher):** Though not a direct biblical Hebrew word in this context, the concept of "kosher" (from the root כשר, "to be proper, fit") is intrinsically linked to the dietary laws and the distinctions established by terms like שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ).
* **Chewing the Cud (מַעֲלֵה גֵרָה, maʿăleh gerâ):** This is the other essential criterion for clean land animals, always paired with the "cloven hoof" (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה). Both physical markers were necessary for an animal to be considered clean.
### Theological Significance
The precise and repeated use of שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) within the dietary laws, while seemingly mundane, carries profound theological implications for ancient Israel.
1. **Divine Order and Authority:** The meticulous categories for clean and unclean animals, using specific anatomical features like the "שֶׁסַע" (sheçaʻ), demonstrate God's sovereign authority over creation and His right to establish distinct boundaries for His people. It reveals a God who orders all things, even down to the details of daily life.
2. **Holiness and Separation:** The primary purpose of the dietary laws was to set Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. By observing these distinctions, the Israelites tangibly expressed their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The physical differentiation in their diet served as a constant reminder of their spiritual separation and consecration to God.
3. **Obedience and Discernment:** Adherence to the criteria involving the "שֶׁסַע" (sheçaʻ) required careful observation and precise obedience. It taught the Israelites to discern and to follow God's commands exactly, fostering a mindset of attention to detail in their walk with God. This discipline was not merely about food but about cultivating a life of obedience to the divine will in all spheres.
4. **Symbolic Potentials (Later Interpretations):** While the biblical text itself does not explicitly allegorize the "cloven hoof," later Jewish and Christian traditions have often explored symbolic meanings. The cloven hoof has been interpreted as representing the need for discernment between good and evil, or for walking circumspectly in the world, not being single-minded in a negative sense but able to navigate different paths correctly. The division could also symbolize distinguishing between the sacred and the profane. These interpretations, while not explicit in the text, highlight the enduring desire to find deeper meaning in God's commands.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ, `{{H8157}}`), derived from the verb meaning "to split," is a highly specific term in the biblical lexicon. It refers to a "fissure" or "cleft," and its usage is almost exclusively found within the Mosaic dietary laws (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14), where it denotes the "cloven hoof" (שֶׁסַע פְּרָסָה) of an animal. This precise anatomical characteristic, alongside the habit of chewing the cud, was a non-negotiable criterion for determining which land animals were considered clean and permissible for consumption by the Israelites. The consistent application of שֶׁסַע (sheçaʻ) underscores God's meticulous ordering of creation, His call for Israel's holiness and distinctiveness among the nations, and the vital importance of precise obedience and spiritual discernment in their covenant relationship with Him. Thus, this seemingly technical term is a foundational element in understanding the practical outworking of Israel's sacred identity under the Law.
TRV