שׁוֹט
𐤔𐤅𐤈
shôwṭ
H7752 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flexible instrument made of cord or leather used for striking; specifically, a whip or lash employed for punishment, discipline, or driving animals. In extended and figurative contexts, denotes a means of inflicting suffering, hardship, or domination.
Semantic Range
whip, lash, scourge (instrument), instrument of punishment or discipline, metaphor for harsh treatment or oppression
Root / Etymology
From the root שוט (to whip, to lash, to whip about), with cognates suggesting movement, especially quick or forceful motion. The noun שׁוֹט derives from this root, denoting an object associated with rapid striking or agitation. The actual lexical meaning focuses on the instrument itself, not just the action of moving or lashing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שׁוֹט occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in 1 Kings 12:11,14 and 2 Chronicles 10:11,14, where it is used in the context of Rehoboam's threat to increase the severity of forced labor supervisees’ punishment compared to Solomon’s ('My father disciplined you with whips [שׁוֹטִים], but I will discipline you with scorpions'). The term is used both literally (as an actual whip) and figuratively, as a symbol of harsher treatment or increased oppression. The metaphorical use in these royal pronouncements provides insight into social and political realities of the period, where the whip symbolizes both physical punishment and intensified rulership. Its use in comparison with 'scorpions' (probably a whip fitted with sharp points or perhaps a metaphor for greater pain) indicates an escalation in discipline or coercion. The standard translation 'whip' or 'lash' accurately renders its core meaning, but English versions sometimes lose the underlying symbolism relevant to ancient power and authority. Unlike other words for instruments of punishment, such as מַשְׂמֵר ('rod') or אַרְבַּע ('strap' or similar instruments), שׁוֹט specifically conveys the idea of a flexible implement designed for repeated striking. Its rarity in the biblical corpus points to a technical or specialized usage rather than a generic term for any implement of discipline.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שׁוּט; a lash (literally or figuratively); scourge, whip.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שוט (š-w-ṭ) — to lash, to scourge, to whip about, swift striking motion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4880 | מָשׁוֹט | oar |
| H7750 | שׂוּט | rovers |
| H7751 | שׁוּט | the roaming ones |
| H7846 | שֵׂט | turn-asiders |
| H7850 | שֹׁטֵט | and to a roaming-one |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7752-03 |
שׁ֔וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
scourge | whip | 6 |
H7752-01 |
בַּ/שּׁוֹטִ֔ים | bashotim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with-whips | with the whips | 4 |
H7752-02 |
בְּ/שׁ֣וֹט | beshot | HR/Ncmsc |
from the scourge | with a lash of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7752-01 |
1 Kings 12:11 | בַּ/שּׁוֹטִ֔ים | bashotim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with-whips | with the whips |
H7752-01 |
1 Kings 12:14 | בַּ/שּׁוֹטִ֔ים | bashotim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with whips | with the whips |
H7752-03 |
Isaiah 10:26 | שׁ֔וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
scourge | whip |
H7752-03 |
Isaiah 28:15 | שׁ֣וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
overflowing | whip |
H7752-03 |
Isaiah 28:18 | שׁ֤וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
scourge/whip | whip |
H7752-03 |
Nahum 3:2 | שׁ֔וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
of whip | whip |
H7752-03 |
Proverbs 26:3 | שׁ֣וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
a whip | whip |
H7752-02 |
Job 5:21 | בְּ/שׁ֣וֹט | beshot | HR/Ncmsc |
from the scourge | with a lash of |
H7752-03 |
Job 9:23 | שׁ֭וֹט | shot | HNcmsa |
scourge | whip |
H7752-01 |
2 Chronicles 10:11 | בַּ/שּׁוֹטִ֔ים | bashotim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with-whips | with the whips |