English · KJV
H8200

שְׁפַט

shᵉphaṭ /shef-at'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁפַט
Meaningto judge
KJV usagemagistrate.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉphaṭ — 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 shᵉphaṭ, represented by H8200, corresponds to the Hebrew word for judge and specifically denotes a magistrate. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use points to a specific role in the administration of civil and religious law.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H8200 is in Ezra 7:25. In this verse, Ezra is commanded by the king to "set magistrates H8200 and judges H1782" over the people living beyond the Euphrates River. The purpose of these appointed officials was to judge the people according to the laws of God. This highlights the establishment of a formal legal structure for the returned exiles, founded upon divine, not just royal, authority.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the concept of law and judgment:

  • H1778 dîyn (to judge): This verb, corresponding to its Hebrew counterpart, is used in the same verse to describe the function of the magistrates, who "may judge" the people Ezra 7:25.
  • H1782 dayân (judge): This noun appears alongside H8200 in the command to appoint "magistrates and judges" Ezra 7:25, indicating a distinct but related judicial office.
  • H1882 dâth (decree, law): This word defines the standard for judgment. The magistrates were to adjudicate based on the "laws of thy God," and this term is also used for the king's law Ezra 7:26.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H8200, though based on a single verse, is noteworthy for its role in post-exilic community formation.

  • Delegated Divine Authority: The appointment of magistrates is a human act, but it is to be done "after the wisdom of thy God" Ezra 7:25. This shows civil leadership operating under a divine mandate to implement justice.
  • Law as the Foundation of Society: The primary role of the magistrate is to enforce the "laws of thy God" Ezra 7:25, cementing the Torah as the legal and moral foundation for the restored community of Israel.
  • Judgment and Instruction: The verse connects the act of judging with teaching, instructing that those who do not know the laws should be taught Ezra 7:25. This implies that the goal of the legal system was not merely punitive but also restorative and educational.

Summary

In summary, shᵉphaṭ H8200 provides a specific term for a magistrate tasked with upholding divine law. While it appears only once, its context in Ezra 7:25 is crucial, illustrating the practical re-establishment of a society governed by God's commands. The word represents the formal system of justice necessary for the spiritual and civil restoration of Israel after the exile.

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 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.

  • שָׁפְטִין

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.

H1782 דַּיָּן (Aramaic) corresponding to דַּיָּן; {a judge or advocate}; judge. H1778 דִּין (Aramaic) corresponding to דִּין; to judge; judge. H1882 דָּת (Aramaic) corresponding to דָּת; {a royal edict or statute}; decree, law.

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

1 verse, all in Ezra — 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.