שָׂחוּ
𐤔𐤇𐤅
sâchûw
H7813 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pond or pool, specifically one set aside or suitable for swimming or bathing; a contained or excavated body of water for immersion. While the term conveys the general idea of a basin or standing water, it is used with attention to its suitability for swimming.
Semantic Range
swimming pool, pond (suitable for swimming), artificial or constructed water basin for bathing or immersion
Root / Etymology
The noun שָׂחוּ derives from the root שׂחה (to swim). The noun formation denotes 'a place for swimming' or 'a swimming-pool' based on this verbal idea.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׂחוּ appears only in Leviticus 11:36, in the context of regulations about ritual purity and the susceptibility of various water sources to impurity. In this text, it refers to a type of artificial or collected water source, distinguished from 'cistern' (בּוֹר) or natural spring (מַעְיָן). While later English versions sometimes translate the term interchangeably with 'pond,' 'pool,' or 'laver,' the Hebrew emphasizes its association with swimming or immersion. Its usage in biblical Hebrew is rare and specific. By the post-exilic period, other terms such as אֲגַם (lake, pool), and בְּרֵכָה (reservoir, pool) became more common for bodies of water, sometimes with broader meanings. The word should not be confused with pools or basins used strictly for ritual purposes. Its exact nature in ancient Israelite culture is not detailed, but it is clearly differentiated from both large natural bodies of water and purely utilitarian storage pools. English translations sometimes generalize the meaning, but the Hebrew context is more specific. In rabbinic or later Hebrew, different terms dominate.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂחָה; a pond (for swimming); to swim in.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂחה (ś-ḥ-h) — to swim, to move in water, to glide through water
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7813-01 |
שָׂ֔חוּ | sachu | HNcmsa |
swimming | swimming pool | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7813-01 |
Ezekiel 47:5 | שָׂ֔חוּ | sachu | HNcmsa |
swimming | swimming pool |