עִיט
𐤏𐤉𐤈
ʻîyṭ
H5860 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To swoop, dart, or descend rapidly, especially of a bird of prey; by extension, to act or move in a sudden and forceful manner. The verb primarily denotes the swift, downward movement or attack of a raptor (such as a vulture or eagle), but can also have figurative uses implying hostile verbal attack, such as railing or reviling, though the latter is rare.
Semantic Range
to swoop down (especially as a raptor), to descend rapidly, to attack or seize (with reference to birds of prey), by extension to rail or launch a sudden verbal assault
Root / Etymology
Root ע־י־ט (עטט), with core meaning of 'to swoop' or 'to attack suddenly.' The verb form עִיט indicates the action of descending quickly, particularly in the manner of predatory birds. The root is distinct from roots with similar gutturals and should not be confused with עיט (noun), which can also refer to a type of bird.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, עִיט appears in poetic and elevated contexts, often in descriptions of predators or as simile for swift, forceful action (e.g., Job 28:7). Its use is limited in the Hebrew Bible, and the physical imagery is connected with the predatory behavior of large birds native to the ancient Levant. Rarely, it may be rendered with figurative force, as in a verbal 'railing,' although such uses are secondary and contextually determined. Post-biblical Hebrew preserves the sense of swift attack. Later English translations sometimes obscure the raptor imagery by translating the term as 'rail,' following interpretation rather than the primary sense. The word is not a common verb for generic flying or general movement but retains the nuance of predatory descent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to swoop down upon (literally or figuratively); fly, rail.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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עיט (ʿ-y-ṭ) — to swoop, to dart upon, to attack suddenly
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5860-02 |
וַ/יַּ֤עַט | vayaat | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he railed | and he swooped down | 2 |
H5860-01 |
וַ/תַּ֨עַט֙ | vataat | HC/Vqw2ms |
but you rushed | and you swooped down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5860-02 |
1 Samuel 14:32 | וַ/יַּ֤עַט | vayaat | HC/Vqw3ms |
and rushed | and he swooped down |
H5860-01 |
1 Samuel 15:19 | וַ/תַּ֨עַט֙ | vataat | HC/Vqw2ms |
but you rushed | and you swooped down |
H5860-02 |
1 Samuel 25:14 | וַ/יָּ֥עַט | vayaat | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he railed | and he swooped down |