English · KJV

H8239 Hebrew · Verb

שָׁפַת

shâphath /shaw-fath'/ Audio pronunciations are computer-generated and may not be fully accurate. Provided as a convenience only.

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verses
4
of 39 books
4
forms
2
KJV renderings
3

The Hebrew text uses it 5 times. The KJV tags it in 4 verses, counting each verse only once regardless of repetition.

Verses dated 894 BC–590 BC
4004 BC390 BC
Roota primitive root
Meaningto locate, i.e. (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce
KJV usagebring, ordain, set on.

Context

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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâphath, represented by H8239, is a primitive root used to mean to locate, establish, bring, ordain, or set on. It appears a total of 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning ranges from the concrete action of placing an object to the figurative act of establishing a state of being.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word shâphath is used in both literal and figurative ways. In a literal sense, it describes the physical act of placing something. Elisha commands his servant to “Set on the great pot” 2 Kings 4:38, and in Ezekiel's parable, the Lord commands, “Set on a pot, set it on” Ezekiel 24:3. Figuratively, it conveys the idea of being brought into a specific state or condition. The psalmist expresses deep despair by stating that God has “brought me into the dust of death” Psalms 22:15. In a positive, theological sense, it is used to describe God's sovereign establishment of peace, as seen in the declaration, “LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us” Isaiah 26:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of shâphath is seen in its depiction of God's sovereign authority to place and establish.

  • Divine Placement: The word illustrates God's power to place individuals in specific circumstances, from the depths of despair in “the dust of death” Psalms 22:15 to a position of divinely established security.
  • Establishing Peace: In Isaiah, shâphath is used to show that peace is not a random occurrence but something purposefully ordained by God as a direct result of His work on behalf of His people Isaiah 26:12.
  • Symbolic Action: The literal command to “set on a pot” Ezekiel 24:3 serves as a physical sign for a spiritual message, demonstrating how God uses tangible acts to communicate profound truths to a rebellious house.

Summary

In summary, shâphath is a versatile word that conveys the act of setting something in place. While appearing only a few times, its usage spans from the mundane instruction to set a pot on a fire to the profound theological concept of God ordaining peace or bringing a person to the brink of death. It powerfully illustrates the authority to establish, whether it is an object in a physical location or a condition in the life of a person or nation.

Formed from this word 1

Mentioned in the study 3

What the study says

Several related words appear alongside shâphath, helping to clarify its meaning in context:

  • H3332 yâtsaq (to pour out): In Ezekiel's parable, immediately after the command to “Set on a pot” H8239, the next instruction is to “pour water into it” Ezekiel 24:3. This shows a direct sequence of actions: first placing, then filling.
  • H4911 mâshal (to use figurative language): The command to “Set on a pot” in Ezekiel is part of a parable. The verse begins with the instruction to “utter a parable,” linking the physical action of shâphath to a larger symbolic message Ezekiel 24:3.
  • H6466 pâʻal (to do or make): In Isaiah, the promise that God will “ordain” H8239 peace is based on the fact that “thou also hast wrought all our works in us” Isaiah 26:12. This connects the establishment of peace with God's prior actions and work.

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.