שְׁתִל
𐤔𐤕𐤋
shᵉthil
H8363 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A young plant, shoot, or sapling—specifically one that has been set or transplanted for cultivation. Used to describe a living, growing plant in a context of deliberate planting, often as a metaphor for stability, prosperity, and vital growth.
Semantic Range
young plant, sapling, shoot, transplanted plant, cultivated shoot; metaphor for stability, growth, or prosperity
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁתַל (שׁ־ת־ל), meaning 'to plant, set in the ground, transplant.' שְׁתִל is a noun formation from this root, designating the result or object of planting—a young plant or sapling. The nominal pattern indicates an item or person associated with the root action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁתִל appears in Hebrew primarily in poetic or later biblical usage, typically representing a young, living shoot intentionally set for growth rather than a naturally-occurring wild plant. Its usage suggests an emphasis on care, purposefulness, and expectation of flourishing (cf. Psalm 128:3; Ezekiel 17:7, 17:22). Unlike other Hebrew terms for plants, such as נֵטַע (neta‘, plant in general) or צֶמַח (tsemach, sprout or branch), שְׁתִל highlights the process of deliberate planting or transplantation. In many post-exilic and Second Temple contexts, שְׁתִל can also be found in poetic and agricultural metaphors reflecting concern for cultivated stability and blessing. English translations often render it simply as 'plant' or 'sapling,' but may not fully capture its nuance as 'one set or established by planting.' There is no indication that usage of שְׁתִל underwent strong semantic change from the monarchic to the exilic or post-exilic periods, but the poetic extension to personal and national flourishing becomes more prominent in later usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
xlit shᵉthiyl corrected to shᵉthil; from שָׁתַל; a sprig (as if transplanted), i.e. sucker; plant.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שתל (sh-t-l) — to plant, to set in the ground, to transplant
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8362 | שָׁתַל | I will transplant him |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8363-01 |
כִּ/שְׁתִלֵ֣י | kishetiley | HR/Ncmpc |
like plantings of | transplanted saplings of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8363-01 |
Psalms 128:3 | כִּ/שְׁתִלֵ֣י | kishetiley | HR/Ncmpc |
like plantings of | transplanted saplings of |