שַׁחַץ
𐤔𐤇𐤑
shachats
H7830 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or attitude of arrogance, insolence, or boastfulness; also refers idiomatically to the proud demeanor or pride of lions. In figurative usage, generally denotes haughtiness or a display of self-exalting confidence, particularly in a hostile or threatening context.
Semantic Range
arrogance, haughtiness, insolence, boasting, proud bearing (especially of lions), pride (literally and figuratively); idiomatic expression for boastful demeanor or proud animal (especially a lion)
Root / Etymology
The term שַׁחַץ (shachats) is of uncertain etymology, traditionally associated by form or semantic field with unused roots possibly connoting 'to strut' or 'to be insolent.' It does not correspond directly to any attested verbal root in Biblical Hebrew. Its form and contextual parallels suggest a notion of brazenness or bold self-assertion.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁחַץ appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Job 28:8), usually in poetic or wisdom literature to characterize either human arrogance or the pride of lions. The interpretation as 'pride' or 'haughtiness' often depends on the context, with some ancient translations rendering it as 'lion' or 'proud beast,' reflecting a possible double entendre or idiomatic usage. In wisdom literature, it functions as a symbol of insolence or untamed audacity, sometimes applied to humans, sometimes to animals, especially the lion, emblematic of fearless pride. Later translation traditions (such as LXX and some English versions) occasionally treat the word as denoting the animal itself, but this reflects more the idiomatic extension than the primary lexical sense. The term is distinct from more common Hebrew vocabulary for pride (e.g., גָּאוֹן ga'on) or arrogance (e.g., רוּם rum), and its usage is somewhat specialized and poetic. Its rarity and possible wordplay complicate translation; English versions tend to narrow it to either pride/arrogance or, less frequently, to the proud lion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root apparently meaning to strut; haughtiness (as evinced by the attitude); [idiom] lion, pride.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שחץ (sh-ḥ-ts) — to strut, be arrogant, display insolence
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7831 | שַׁחֲצוֹם | Shachatzom |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7830-01 |
שָׁ֑חַץ | shachats | HNcmsa |
pride | arrogant strutting | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences