שְׁלֵט (H7981) — Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁלֵט

𐤔𐤋𐤈

shᵉlêṭ

H7981 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׁלט to rule, to have power, to dominate, to permit (by extension)

Definition

To exercise authority or control, to have mastery or power over, particularly in the context of governing or ruling. In Aramaic biblical texts, שְׁלֵט typically conveys the act of ruling or possessing authority, and can also denote the capacity or right to permit or allow an action when used in modal or causative constructions.

Semantic Range

to rule, to have mastery, to exercise authority, to have power, to permit, to be able, to allow

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁלט (sh-l-ṭ), which in Semitic languages carries the core meaning of 'to dominate' or 'to have power.' In Aramaic, שְׁלֵט is the basic verb form, functioning as an intransitive ('to be in authority, to have mastery') or as a causative ('to permit, allow' by extension from the power to rule or decide). The root is not present as a verb in Hebrew biblical texts, but is well attested in Aramaic and later Rabbinic Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שְׁלֵט occurs in biblical Aramaic sections (primarily in Daniel) and reflects the concept of political or administrative control, such as that exercised by kings or officials. In contrast, the more common Hebrew term מָשַׁל (māshal) is used for 'to rule' in Hebrew narrative. שְׁלֵט may denote both personal mastery (e.g., over oneself or a domain) and institutional authority (e.g., a ruler's power). In later Aramaic and post-biblical usage, the root evolves into nouns for 'official' (שָׁלִיט, 'governor, potentate'). English translations often render the term as 'to rule,' 'have power,' or 'be able,' but may underemphasize the nuance of authorized or permitted action implicit in some forms. The word is specific to imperial or courtly Aramaic registers of the exilic and post-exilic periods and should not be conflated with the distinct Hebrew vocabulary of monarchy.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁלַט; {to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication, to permit}; have the mastery, have power, bear rule, be (make) ruler.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שׁלט (sh-l-ṭ) — to rule, to have power, to dominate, to exercise authority

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H7981-03`	תִשְׁלַ֖ט	tishelat	`AVqi3fs`	will rule	she will rule	2
`H7981-02`	שְׁלִ֤טֽוּ	shelitu	`AVqp3mp`	overpowered	they ruled	1
`H7981-04`	וְ/הַשְׁלְטָ֖/ךְ	vehasheletakhe	`AC/Vhp3ms/Sp2ms`	and has ruled you	and he granted you authority	1
`H7981-01`	שְׁלֵ֨ט	shelet	`AVqp3ms`	had power	he ruled	1
`H7981-06`	יִשְׁלַֽט	yishelat	`AVqi3ms`	he shall rule	he will exercise authority	1
`H7981-05`	וְ/הַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔/הּ	vehasheleteh	`AC/Vhp3ms/Sp3ms`	and made him rule	and he caused him to rule	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H7981-04`	Daniel 2:38	וְ/הַשְׁלְטָ֖/ךְ	vehasheletakhe	`AC/Vhp3ms/Sp2ms`	and has ruled you	and he granted you authority
`H7981-03`	Daniel 2:39	תִשְׁלַ֖ט	tishelat	`AVqi3fs`	will rule	she will rule
`H7981-05`	Daniel 2:48	וְ/הַ֨שְׁלְטֵ֔/הּ	vehasheleteh	`AC/Vhp3ms/Sp3ms`	and made him rule	and he caused him to rule
`H7981-01`	Daniel 3:27	שְׁלֵ֨ט	shelet	`AVqp3ms`	had power	he ruled
`H7981-06`	Daniel 5:7	יִשְׁלַֽט	yishelat	`AVqi3ms`	he shall rule	he will exercise authority
`H7981-03`	Daniel 5:16	תִּשְׁלַֽט	tishelat	`AVqi2ms`	you shall rule	she will rule
`H7981-02`	Daniel 6:25	שְׁלִ֤טֽוּ	shelitu	`AVqp3mp`	overpowered	they ruled

← H7980 Hebrew Lexicon H7982 →