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שָׁאַג

𐤔𐤀𐤂

shâʼag

H7580 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To produce a deep, resonant, and often loud sound, as in roaring, growling, or moaning. Commonly refers to the vocalization of lions or other large animals, but also used metaphorically for thunder, tumult, or the strong outcry of people. The verb emphasizes the power, volume, and sometimes the wild or terrifying nature of the sound.

Semantic Range

to roar (of a lion), to growl, to rumble (of thunder), to moan (of people), to make a tumultuous noise, to shout mightily

Root / Etymology

Root שָׁאַג derives from the triconsonantal root שׁ־א־ג, which as a verbal root means 'to roar' or 'to make a loud, wild sound.' The core concept is producing a loud, guttural sound characteristic of a lion or a similar powerful animal. The root is not widely attested outside of Hebrew and may be onomatopoeic, imitating the sound itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁאַג appears mainly in poetic and prophetic literature to evoke vivid imagery of threat, intensity, or dramatic intervention. It predominantly describes the roaring of lions (e.g., Amos 3:4, 8; Joel 3:16), emphasizing both awe and terror. The verb can also refer to a person or to YHWH metaphorically roaring like a lion, highlighting overwhelming power or judgment. In a few cases, it is used for other rumbling noises, such as thunder (cf. Job 37:4), or the tumultuous uproar of a crowd (e.g., Ezekiel 22:25). Unlike more generic words for 'cry out' or 'call,' שָׁאַג carries the nuance of animalistic, unrestrained, and forceful vocalization. In later periods and rabbinic usage, its use becomes rare and often remains tied to biblical phrases. Standard English translations often render it as 'roar,' but 'rumble,' 'growl,' or 'moan' can also capture specific nuances depending on context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to rumble or moan; [idiom] mightily, roar.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁאג (sh-ʾ-g) — to roar, to make a loud guttural sound, to rumble

Root שׁאג to roar, to make a loud guttural sound, to rumble

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7580-10 יִשְׁאַ֨ג yisheag HVqi3ms he will roar he will roar he will roar 8
H7580-06 שֹֽׁאֲגִ֑ים shoagim HVqrmpa roar roaring ones roaring 2
H7580-07 שֹׁאֵ֖ג shoeg HVqrmsa roaring roaring one roaring 2
H7580-11 יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ yisheagu HVqi3mp have roared they roar they roar 2
H7580-04 שָׁאֲג֣וּ shaagu HVqp3cp roared they roared they roared 1
H7580-05 שָׁאֹ֤ג shaog HVqa roaring to roar roaring 1
H7580-02 שָׁאָ֖ג shaag HVqp3ms has roared he roared has roared 1
H7580-01 הֲ/יִשְׁאַ֤ג hayisheag HTi/Vqi3ms will roar he will roar will he roar 1
H7580-08 וְ/שֹׁאֵֽג veshoeg HC/Vqrmsa and roaring and roaring one and roaring 1
H7580-09 ו/שאג vshg HC/Vqq3ms they shall roar and he roared and he will roar 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7580-07 Judges 14:5 שֹׁאֵ֖ג shoeg HVqrmsa roaring roaring one roaring
H7580-09 Isaiah 5:29 ו/שאג vshg HC/Vqq3ms they shall roar and he roared and he will roar
H7580-10 Isaiah 5:29 יִשְׁאַ֨ג yisheag HVqi3ms they shall roar he will roar he will roar
H7580-11 Jeremiah 2:15 יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ yisheagu HVqi3mp have roared they roar they roar
H7580-10 Jeremiah 25:30 יִשְׁאָג֙ yisheag HVqi3ms will-roar he will roar he will roar
H7580-05 Jeremiah 25:30 שָׁאֹ֤ג shaog HVqa roaring to roar roaring
H7580-10 Jeremiah 25:30 יִשְׁאַג֙ yisheag-2 HVqi3ms he-will-roar he will roar he will roar
H7580-11 Jeremiah 51:38 יִשְׁאָ֑גוּ yisheagu HVqi3mp they shall roar they roar they roar
H7580-07 Ezekiel 22:25 שׁוֹאֵ֖ג shoeg HVqrmsa roaring roaring one roaring
H7580-10 Hosea 11:10 יִשְׁאָ֑ג yisheag HVqi3ms he will roar he will roar he will roar
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