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שַׁלִּיט

𐤔𐤋𐤉𐤈

shallîyṭ

H7990 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root שלט to rule, have power, exercise dominion, be able

Definition

A person holding authority or power; one who exercises dominion or has the ability to rule or direct others. The term is used for rulers, governors, or functionaries granted permission or the legal right to exercise power, as well as, more abstractly, the state of having such power or the permission to act.

Semantic Range

one who rules, person in authority, governor, provincial official, potentate, person given permission or authority, permission (abstract), lawful power or ability

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root שלט, which in both Hebrew and Aramaic denotes the concept of having power, being able, or having authority over. The noun form שַׁלִּיט reflects the attribute of holding, wielding, or being vested with authority. The Aramaic usage is parallel to the Hebrew, but more frequently refers to secular administrators, rulers, or those above others in a social or governmental hierarchy.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel and Ezra), שַׁלִּיט designates high officials, provincial governors, or other potentates who held secular power within the (often imperial) administration. The term emphasizes the aspect of legal or official authority, distinguishing it from other words for 'king' (מלך) or 'prince' (שר). When applied to God (Dan 4:23(4:20)), it highlights supreme sovereign power. In the post-biblical period and other Aramaic dialects, the term continued to denote officials of significant secular authority or the mere concept of authority or permission. English translations struggle to convey the concrete and abstract nuances: 'ruler', 'governor', 'one empowered', or even 'it is permitted' (when abstract) may be appropriate based on context. Not to be confused with later religious leaders or specific titles that evolved in later rabbinic or Judean contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "ruler" 7 occurrences

שַׁלִּיט most commonly denotes a person who rules or holds authority (ruler, governor, one in authority). 'Ruler' is natural English, fits the typical concrete sense across contexts, and can be used consistently for plural and adjectival senses (e.g. 'ruler', 'rulers', 'in authority') while remaining clear.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"authority-holder" (1x) "rules" (1x) "authority-holders" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to שַׁלִּיט; mighty; abstractly, permission; concretely, a premier; captain, be lawful, rule(-r).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שלט (š-l-ṭ) — to rule, have power, exercise dominion, be able

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7980 שָׁלַט to rule
H7981 שְׁלֵט they ruled
H7982 שֶׁלֶט the dominion-shields
H7983 שִׁלְטוֹן dominion
H7984 שִׁלְטוֹן ruling authorities of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7990-01 שַׁלִּ֨יט shalit AAamsa ruler authoritative ruler authoritative ruler 6
H7990-03 שַׁלִּטִ֖ן shalitin AAampa ruler authority-holders authority-holders 1
H7990-02 שַׁלִּיטָ֣/א shalita AAamsd/Td the captain the authority-holder the authority-holder 1
H7990-05 וְ/שַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין veshalitin AC/Aampa and ruling and authority-holders and rulers 1
H7990-04 וְ/שַׁלִּ֔יט veshalit AC/Aamsa and ruler and authority-holder and ruler 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7990-04 Daniel 2:10 וְ/שַׁלִּ֔יט veshalit AC/Aamsa and ruler and authority-holder and ruler
H7990-02 Daniel 2:15 שַׁלִּיטָ֣/א shalita AAamsd/Td the captain the authority-holder the authority-holder
H7990-01 Daniel 4:14 שַׁלִּ֨יט shalit AAamsa rules authoritative ruler rules
H7990-01 Daniel 4:22 שַׁלִּ֤יט shalit AAamsa rules authoritative ruler authoritative ruler
H7990-03 Daniel 4:23 שַׁלִּטִ֖ן shalitin AAampa ruler authority-holders authority-holders
H7990-01 Daniel 4:29 שַׁלִּ֤יט shalit AAamsa Most-High-the authoritative ruler authoritative ruler
H7990-01 Daniel 5:21 שַׁלִּ֞יט shalit AAamsa ruler authoritative ruler authoritative ruler
H7990-01 Daniel 5:29 שַׁלִּ֛יט shalit AAamsa ruler authoritative ruler authoritative ruler
H7990-05 Ezra 4:20 וְ/שַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין veshalitin AC/Aampa and ruling and authority-holders and rulers
H7990-01 Ezra 7:24 שַׁלִּ֖יט shalit AAamsa authority authoritative ruler authoritative ruler
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