שָׁחִיס
𐤔𐤇𐤉𐤎
shâchîyç
H7823 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Aftergrowth, secondary growth of crops that sprouts from roots or seed remnants after the main harvest, particularly referring to volunteer plants (e.g., grain) that arise unintentionally in a field after reaping. In biblical agricultural context, typically denotes grain that grows from scattered seed or missed stalks post-harvest, considered distinct from the intentional sowing and harvest.
Semantic Range
aftermath, aftergrowth (of grain), volunteer crop, spontaneous regrowth in fields after harvest, self-sown remnants from a previous crop
Root / Etymology
Derived from an unused root likely related to the notion of 'sprouting' or 'springing up' (root uncertain, possibly שָׁחַח or a denominative from the concept of 'growth'). The form שָׁחִיס or variant סָחִישׁ reflects a nominal formation denoting something that grows again or after the initial harvest. Etymology ultimately uncertain due to lack of direct cognates or use elsewhere in Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׁחִיס appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in relation to laws about the Sabbatical year (Lev 25:5; Isa 37:30; 2 Kgs 19:29), where Israelite farmers are forbidden to harvest the aftergrowth as usual during the sabbatical or jubilee cycles. It is distinct from קָצִיר (the main harvest) or נָבַל/פֵרִי (fruit, produce). The term reflects an Israelite agrarian legal category, emphasizing the difference between planned agriculture and naturally occurring, resurgent crops. English translations variously render the term as 'aftergrowth', 'volunteer grain', or 'self-seeded grain,' but often obscure the agricultural and legal nuance. In post-biblical periods, more specific terms replaced שָׁחִיס. The occurrence of the variant spelling סָחִישׁ reflects scribal or dialectal variance rather than a semantic difference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or סָחִישׁ; from an unused root apparently meaning to sprout; aftergrowth; (that) which springeth of the same.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
שחס (sh-ḥ-s) — sprouting, springing up, secondary growth
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7823-02 |
שָׁחִ֑יס | shachis | HNcmsa |
aftergrowth | volunteer aftergrowth | aftergrowth | 1 |
H7823-01 |
סָחִ֑ישׁ | sachish | HNcmsa |
what springs up | volunteer aftergrowth | volunteer aftergrowth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7823-01 |
2 Kings 19:29 | סָחִ֑ישׁ | sachish | HNcmsa |
what springs up | volunteer aftergrowth | volunteer aftergrowth |
H7823-02 |
Isaiah 37:30 | שָׁחִ֑יס | shachis | HNcmsa |
aftergrowth | volunteer aftergrowth | aftergrowth |