### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb שָׁתָה (shâthâh, `{{H8354}}`) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the act of "imbibing." Primarily, this refers to the physical act of drinking any liquid, whether water, wine, or other beverages. Its semantic range extends beyond this literal sense to encompass figurative and idiomatic usages, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human experience related to consumption.
The definition notes שָׁתָה as "properly intensive of `{{H8248}}` (shâqâh)." While `{{H8248}}` means "to give to drink" or "to water" (a causative action), שָׁתָה denotes the active, often thorough, act of "to drink" or "to partake." This intensive quality can imply drinking to satiety, or even to excess, leading to the derived concept of "drunk."
Furthermore, the root carries idiomatic extensions such as "banquet," indicating the social context where drinking frequently occurs, particularly in celebratory or communal settings. The less obvious idiomatic senses of "assuredly," "certainly," or "surely" often arise from the use of שָׁתָה in an infinitive absolute construction, which serves to intensify the main verb, effectively conveying the idea of "drinking indeed" or "surely drinking," and by extension, a sense of certainty or completeness in an action or outcome. This illustrates how a basic physical action can be extended to convey abstract concepts of finality or assurance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb שָׁתָה appears numerous times throughout the Hebrew Bible, reflecting its fundamental nature in daily life and its symbolic versatility.
* **Literal Sustenance:** The most common usage describes the simple act of drinking for sustenance, as when Rebekah offers water to Abraham's servant and his camels: "Please let me drink a little water from your jar" [[Genesis 24:17]]. This highlights the essential role of water in the ancient Near East.
* **Feasting and Celebration:** שָׁתָה frequently appears in contexts of feasting, banquets, and celebrations, often involving wine. For instance, Pharaoh's cupbearer recounts his duty to "put the cup into Pharaoh's hand" so he could "drink" [[Genesis 40:11]]. שָׁתָה also appears in wisdom literature encouraging the enjoyment of life's blessings, including food and drink: "There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil" [[Ecclesiastes 2:24]].
* **Drunkenness and Excess:** The intensive nature of שָׁתָה can also denote drinking to excess, leading to intoxication. Noah's drunkenness, for example, is described with this verb: "He drank of the wine and became drunk" [[Genesis 9:21]]. Prophets often condemn excessive drinking as a sign of moral decay and spiritual blindness: "Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may pursue strong drink" [[Isaiah 5:11]].
* **Figurative - Suffering and Judgment:** A profound figurative use of שָׁתָה is found in the imagery of "drinking the cup" of God's wrath or judgment. This metaphor signifies fully experiencing divine punishment or intense suffering. The Lord commands Jerusalem: "Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath" [[Isaiah 51:17]]. Similarly, Jeremiah describes nations being compelled to "drink" the cup of the Lord's fury [[Jeremiah 25:15]].
* **Idiomatic - Certainty/Intensification:** While less direct, the sense of "surely" or "certainly" arises from grammatical constructions where שָׁתָה is used to emphasize an action. For example, in constructions like "drink, you will drink," the infinitive absolute intensifies the verb, conveying certainty or inevitability.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of שָׁתָה is enriched by its connections to several related Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **שָׁקָה (shâqâh, `{{H8248}}`):** As noted in the base definition, שָׁתָה is considered an intensive form of שָׁקָה. While שָׁקָה means "to give to drink" or "to water" (often transitive, causing another to drink), שָׁתָה is the intransitive act of "to drink" oneself. This distinction highlights the active participation implied by שָׁתָה.
* **Substances:** The liquids consumed are often specified, such as מַיִם (mayim, water), יַיִן (yayin, wine), and שֵׁכָר (shêkâr, strong drink).
* **Vessel:** The כּוֹס (kôs, cup) is the common vessel for drinking, which itself becomes a potent symbol, particularly in the context of divine judgment or salvation.
* **Context:** מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, banquet, feast), often derived from שָׁתָה, denotes the social setting of drinking.
* **Opposite State:** צָמָא (tsama', thirst) represents the need or desire to שָׁתָה.
* **Covenant:** Drinking together, especially wine, sometimes accompanied the sealing of covenants or oaths, symbolizing shared life and commitment (e.g., [[Genesis 26:30]]).
### Theological Significance
The act of שָׁתָה carries significant theological weight in the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** God is consistently portrayed as the ultimate provider of life-sustaining water. He leads His people to springs and rivers, demonstrating His care and faithfulness: "He sends forth springs into the valleys; they flow among the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field" [[Psalm 104:10-11]]. This underscores human dependence on God for basic needs.
* **Joy, Blessing, and God's Presence:** Drinking, especially wine, is often associated with joy, blessing, and the celebration of God's goodness. It symbolizes the abundance and delight found in God's presence, as seen in the imagery of the overflowing cup in [[Psalm 23:5]] or the command to "eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart" [[Ecclesiastes 9:7]].
* **Warning Against Immorality and Folly:** The Bible strongly condemns excessive drinking and drunkenness. It is depicted as a path to moral degradation, foolishness, and spiritual insensitivity: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" [[Proverbs 20:1]]. This serves as a constant ethical warning.
* **Divine Judgment and Suffering:** The most potent theological use of שָׁתָה is its association with the "cup of wrath" or "cup of trembling." To "drink" this cup signifies experiencing the full measure of God's righteous judgment against sin. This imagery finds its climax in the New Testament with Jesus' agony in Gethsemane, where He prays for the "cup" of suffering and divine wrath to pass from Him, yet ultimately submits to "drink" it for the salvation of humanity [[Matthew 26:39]]. This highlights Christ's vicarious bearing of judgment.
* **Spiritual Thirst and Satisfaction:** Figuratively, שָׁתָה speaks to humanity's spiritual thirst. The prophets lament Israel's forsaking of God, "the fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns that can hold no water" [[Jeremiah 2:13]]. In the New Testament, Jesus offers "living water" that eternally quenches spiritual thirst, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and the satisfaction found in Him [[John 4:14]], [[John 7:37-38]]. This points to ultimate spiritual fulfillment found only in God.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb שָׁתָה (shâthâh, `{{H8354}}`) encompasses the fundamental act of "to drink," extending from literal physical imbibing to rich figurative and idiomatic expressions. As an intensive form of שָׁקָה (to give to drink), it often implies a thorough or complete act of consumption. Its biblical occurrences span a wide range of contexts, from basic sustenance and joyous feasting to the destructive consequences of drunkenness. Theologically, שָׁתָה serves as a powerful metaphor for God's gracious provision, the blessings of His presence, a solemn warning against sin, and the profound experience of divine judgment and human suffering. Ultimately, it points to the spiritual thirst of humanity and the ultimate satisfaction found in Christ, the source of living water.
TRV