← H7685 H7687 →

שָׁגָה

𐤔𐤂𐤄

shâgâh

H7686 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שגה to stray, to wander, to err, to go astray

Definition

To wander (physically or figuratively), to go astray, to err. The primary sense is departing from a correct path, standard, or expected behavior, whether deliberately or unknowingly. The root can extend metaphorically to encompass intellectual, moral, or spiritual deviation from accepted norms, as well as the loss of physical or mental stability, sometimes in contexts of intoxication or being overwhelmed. The term can also denote inducing such error or leading astray.

Semantic Range

to inadvertently go astray, to err through ignorance, to deviate from moral or legal standards, to stagger (often through drink or emotional intensity), to be misled, to cause to stray, to lead astray, to be enraptured or carried away

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁגה, which broadly conveys movement away from an intended course: 'to stray, to wander, to err.' Connected with the concept of deviating, either through confusion, ignorance, or external influence. The form שָׁגָה typically appears as a verb and reflects the causative or passive sense ('to be led astray,' 'to cause to wander').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁגָה frequently describes both literal wandering (e.g., straying animals) and figurative straying—especially moral or spiritual error, often through ignorance or self-deception, not only overt rebellion. The term appears in legal and cultic texts, where it refers to transgressions committed unintentionally (cf. Leviticus 4:13, Numbers 15:28), in distinction to high-handed or deliberate sin. In poetic and prophetic literature, the word can imply being swept away or made to stagger, sometimes shading into imagery of intoxication or overwhelming emotion (e.g., Isaiah 28:7). While later English translations may render the term as 'sin,' 'err,' or 'go astray,' the Hebrew concept maintains a range that includes mistake, ignorance, or being misled, not limited to intentional wrongdoing. The causative form (hiphil) intensifies the meaning ('to mislead,' 'to cause to err'), and related nouns or participles may appear in descriptions of those who lead others astray. The concept is distinct from terms like פָּשַׁע (to rebel or transgress deliberately) or חָטָא (to sin in a more general sense), emphasizing deviation—often through lack of knowledge rather than outright defiance. Through the monarchic to post-exilic periods, the word preserved this essential nuance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel, (figuratively) be enraptured; (cause to) go astray, deceive, err, be ravished, sin through ignorance, (let, make to) wander.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שגה (sh-g-h) — to stray, to wander, to err, to go astray

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4870 מִשְׁגֶּה inadvertent error
H4879 מְשׁוּגָה my straying
H7681 שָׁגֶא Erring-One
H7691 שְׁגִיאָה missteps
H7692 שִׁגָּיוֹן wandering-ode

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7686-05 שָׁג֔וּ shagu HVqp3cp err they have strayed 3
H7686-03 מַשְׁגֶּ֥ה mashegeh HVhrmsa misleads one who leads astray 2
H7686-06 שֹׁגֶ֖ה shogeh HVqrmsa is deceived straying one 2
H7686-09 תִּשְׁגֶּ֥ה tishegeh HVqi2ms be ravished you will stray 2
H7686-14 יִשְׁגּ֔וּ yishegu HVqi3mp err they will stray 2
H7686-04 שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי shagiti HVqp1cs I have erred I have gone astray 2
H7686-10 תִשְׁגּ֔וּ tishegu HVqi2mp you err you all stray 1
H7686-02 לִ֝/שְׁג֗וֹת lishegot HR/Vqc that causes to err to go astray 1
H7686-12 וָ/אֶשְׁגֶּ֖ה vaeshegeh HC/Vqw1cs and have erred and I strayed 1
H7686-13 יִשְׁגֶּֽה yishegeh HVqi3ms he will go astray he will stray 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7686-14 Leviticus 4:13 יִשְׁגּ֔וּ yishegu HVqi3mp err they will stray
H7686-10 Numbers 15:22 תִשְׁגּ֔וּ tishegu HVqi2mp you err you all stray
H7686-03 Deuteronomy 27:18 מַשְׁגֶּ֥ה mashegeh HVhrmsa who misleads one who leads astray
H7686-12 1 Samuel 26:21 וָ/אֶשְׁגֶּ֖ה vaeshegeh HC/Vqw1cs and have erred and I strayed
H7686-05 Isaiah 28:7 שָׁג֔וּ shagu HVqp3cp have erred they have strayed
H7686-05 Isaiah 28:7 שָׁג֨וּ shagu-2 HVqp3cp stagger they have strayed
H7686-05 Isaiah 28:7 שָׁגוּ֙ shagu-3 HVqp3cp err they have strayed
H7686-14 Ezekiel 34:6 יִשְׁגּ֤וּ yishegu HVqi3mp they wandered they will stray
H7686-06 Ezekiel 45:20 שֹׁגֶ֖ה shogeh HVqrmsa who goes astray straying one
H7686-08 Psalms 119:10 תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗/נִי tashegeni HVhj2ms/Sp1cs let me wander may you lead me astray
← H7685 Hebrew Lexicon H7687 →