שֶׁסַע
𐤔𐤎𐤏
sheçaʻ
H8157 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A split or cleft, especially in a hoof; refers to the division or parting of a surface, with particular reference to the hooves of certain animals that are split into distinct toes. The term denotes a physical separation, typically longitudinal, resulting in two or more parts, as seen in animal anatomy.
Semantic Range
split, cleft, fissure (esp. of a hoof); divided part; cloven (as in 'cloven-footed')
Root / Etymology
שֶׁסַע is derived from the root שָׁסַע, which means 'to split, tear, cleave.' The noun form reflects the result or state of being split or cleft. Thus, שֶׁסַע refers specifically to the resultant fissure or cleft.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׁסַע appears in Levitical passages, particularly regarding distinctions in ritual purity for animals permitted or forbidden for consumption among Israelites, typically describing animals with divided or cloven hooves (e.g., Leviticus 11:3, Deuteronomy 14:7). The presence of a שֶׁסַע, a visible cleft in the hoof, is one criterion for determining an animal's eligibility as ritually clean. English translations often use 'cleft,' 'split,' or 'cloven' in describing this anatomical feature, but these words may lose some technical specificity present in the Hebrew legislative context. The term is primarily technical, not used metaphorically in extant biblical texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁסַע; a fissure; cleft, clovenfooted.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁסע (š-s-ʿ) — to split, cleave, tear
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8156 | שָׁסַע | as tearing apart |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8157-01 |
שֶׁ֨סַע֙ | shesa | HNcmsc |
cleft | cleft of | 3 |
H8157-02 |
שֹׁסַ֗עַת | shosaat | HVqrfsa |
cloven | splitting | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8157-01 |
Leviticus 11:3 | שֶׁ֨סַע֙ | shesa | HNcmsc |
cleft | cleft of |
H8157-01 |
Leviticus 11:7 | שֶׁ֨סַע֙ | shesa | HNcmsc |
cloven | cleft of |
H8157-02 |
Leviticus 11:26 | שֹׁסַ֗עַת | shosaat | HVqrfsa |
cloven | splitting |
H8157-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:6 | שֶׁ֨סַע֙ | shesa | HNcmsa |
split | cleft of |