שֵׂט
𐤔𐤈
sêṭ
H7846 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A turning aside, deflection or deviation from the correct or expected course; by extension, in some contexts, transgression or rebellion against a norm (especially moral or communal). Used to denote the act or state of deviating from prescribed standards, particularly in legal or ethical contexts.
Semantic Range
turning aside, deviation, deflection, transgression, rebellion, revolt, perverse behavior
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שׂוּט (sut), which means 'to swerve, turn aside, to go about, to roam'. The noun שֵׂט (sêṭ) expresses the idea of a deviation or turning away from a prescribed path or standard, with the sense extending into social or moral spheres.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֵׂט (sêṭ) appears only sparingly in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Psalm 101:3), where it denotes more than just a legalistic 'sin' and often carries the sense of rebellious or perverse behavior—particularly that which is willfully contrary to established order or norms. While later translations often render the term as 'sin' or 'revolter', contextual nuance indicates something subtler: the idea of active deviation, sometimes with the implication of perversity or destruction. The term overlaps with other Hebrew words for 'sin' (such as חֵטְא, פֶּשַׁע, or עָוֹן), but שֵׂט focuses more specifically on the act or state of veering away, often deliberately or aggressively. Its rarity in biblical usage suggests it was not part of standard legal vocabulary, but retained a more vivid or descriptive character. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root remains in use primarily in relation to physical movement rather than moral deviation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or סֵט; from שׂוּט; a departure from right, i.e. sin; revolter, that turn aside.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שוט (š-w-ṭ) — swerve, turn aside, go about, roam
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4880 | מָשׁוֹט | oar |
| H7750 | שׂוּט | rovers |
| H7751 | שׁוּט | the roaming ones |
| H7752 | שׁוֹט | with the whips |
| H7850 | שֹׁטֵט | and to a roaming-one |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7846-01 |
שֵׂטִ֖ים | setim | HNcmpa |
rebels | turn-asiders | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7846-01 |
Hosea 5:2 | שֵׂטִ֖ים | setim | HNcmpa |
rebels | turn-asiders |