שָׁעַע

shâʻaʻ /shaw-ah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaning(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e. fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e. stare
KJV usagecry (out) (by confusion with שָׁוַע), dandle, delight (self), play, shut.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâʻaʻ, represented by H8173, is a primitive root with a notable duality in its meaning. Appearing 9 times in 8 unique verses, its definition splits between a good and a bad acceptation. In a positive sense, it means to delight (self), fondle, amuse, or play. In a negative sense, it can mean to shut or to cry (out) in dismay.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The applications of H8173 in Scripture highlight this contrast. In the Psalms, it consistently expresses a positive, spiritual joy. The psalmist resolves to delight himself in God's statutes Psalms 119:16, commandments Psalms 119:47, and law Psalms 119:70. This delight is also a source of comfort, as God's consolations delight the soul amid a multitude of thoughts Psalms 94:19. In Isaiah, it paints a picture of future peace and tenderness, where a child will play near a serpent's den without harm Isaiah 11:8 and God's people will be dandled on the knee like a cherished infant Isaiah 66:12. Conversely, the word is used to convey judgment; God commands Isaiah to shut the people's eyes as a consequence of their hardened hearts Isaiah 6:10. It also depicts a state of confusion where people will cry out in drunken-like dismay Isaiah 29:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H8173 in context:

  • H8575 tanchûwm (consolation): This word is the source of the delight experienced in Psalms 94:19, where God's "comforts delight my soul."
  • H8451 tôwrâh (law): This is a frequent object of the psalmist's delight, showing that finding pleasure in God's precepts is a mark of righteousness Psalms 119:70.
  • H8080 shâman (become fat): This word is used alongside H8173 in a negative context in Isaiah 6:10, where making the people's heart fat is linked to the command to shut their eyes, creating a powerful image of spiritual unresponsiveness.
  • H3243 yânaq (to suck): This word connects the concepts of childlike security and divine provision to delight. The "sucking child" will play Isaiah 11:8, and God's people will suck and be dandled Isaiah 66:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8173 is found in its sharp contrasts, representing both the blessings of obedience and the consequences of rebellion.

  • Delight in God's Law: The word is repeatedly used in Psalm 119 to define the righteous person's relationship with God's word. To delight in His commandments H4687 and statutes H2708 is an act of love H157 and devotion (Psalms 119:16, Psalms 119:47).
  • Promise of Comfort and Peace: In a positive sense, H8173 illustrates God's tender care and promised restoration. It describes the comfort God provides to the soul Psalms 94:19 and the ultimate peace where even a child can play in safety Isaiah 11:8.
  • Judgment through Spiritual Blindness: In its negative usage, the word serves as a stark warning. The command to shut the eyes of the people Isaiah 6:10 is an act of divine judgment, rendering them unable to perceive truth and convert H7725. This state leads to confusion and dismay, where they can only cry out Isaiah 29:9.

Summary

In summary, H8173 is a dynamic word that encapsulates two opposing spiritual realities. It describes the profound delight and secure, childlike play found in a right relationship with God and His law. At the same time, it conveys the severe judgment of having one's spiritual eyes shut and being left to cry out in confusion. Through this single root, Scripture illustrates both the joy of drawing near to God and the solemn consequences of turning away.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hithpael Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hithpael Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Pual Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 2 books. Most frequent in Psalms (4 verses).

4
Psalms
4
Isaiah

Verse Explorer

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