English · KJV
H8239

שָׁפַת

shâphath /shaw-fath'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto locate, i.e. (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce
KJV usagebring, ordain, set on.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâphath — 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 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 H8239 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.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words appear alongside H8239, 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 H8239 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.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8239 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, H8239 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, H8239 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.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • שְׁפֹת
  • תִּשְׁפֹּת

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.

H3332 יָצַק a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by exten H4911 מָשַׁל denominative from מָשָׁל; to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like H6466 פָּעַל a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise; commit, (evil-) do(-er), make(-

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

Appears in 4 verses across 4 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 35.

1
2 Kings
1
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel

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.