שָׁגַל
𐤔𐤂𐤋
shâgal
H7693 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To have sexual intercourse with, particularly in a direct and physical sense; frequently connotes sexual activity and sometimes, depending on context, forced or non-consensual intercourse. The term is used both in direct sexual descriptions and figurative expressions, often with a focus on explicit physicality rather than euphemistic or relational nuances.
Semantic Range
to have sexual intercourse, to copulate (neutral sense); to lie with (euphemism for sexual intercourse); to ravish, to violate, to rape (in contexts of conquest or violence)
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: The root שׁגל (shin-gimel-lamed) is otherwise unattested in Hebrew outside this verb, and the etymology is uncertain. It is generally regarded as a primary or ancient root not clearly derived from other Semitic languages, although related forms may exist in cognate languages (e.g., Akkadian šagālu ‘to be high, exalted,’ but this is generally considered unrelated in sense). The noun שְׁגָל (shegal), a title for certain women of rank, is probably a distinct, though homographic, lexeme.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Historical & Contextual Notes: שָׁגַל appears only rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Deuteronomy 28:30, Isaiah 13:16, Zechariah 14:2, and Psalm 137:9). In most occurrences, it refers explicitly to the act of sexual intercourse, often in violent, forced, or humiliating contexts linked to conquest, defeat, or judgment against a population. Its tone is markedly direct and unembellished compared to other Hebrew terms for sexual union, such as ידע (yada‘, to know), which is more relational or euphemistic, or שׁכב (shakav, to lie down [with]), which is more neutral. English translations often use terms like "ravish" or "violate," which attempt to convey the violence implied in certain contexts, but standard translations may not always capture the word’s explicit physical focus. In post-biblical Hebrew usage, the term fades from common vocabulary, likely due to its crudeness. The noun שְׁגָל (shegal), sometimes translated "queen," is homographic but etymologically and semantically distinct from the verb שָׁגַל.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to copulate with; lie with, ravish.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שגל (š-g-l) — to copulate, to have sexual intercourse
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7693-02 |
תשגלנה | tshglnh | HVNi3fp |
they-will-be-raped | they will be sexually violated | 2 |
H7693-03 |
ישגל/נה | yshglnh | HVqi3ms/Sp3fs |
will violate her | he will copulate with her | 1 |
H7693-01 |
שגלת | shglt | HVPp2fs |
been ravished | you were sexually violated | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7693-03 |
Deuteronomy 28:30 | ישגל/נה | yshglnh | HVqi3ms/Sp3fs |
will violate her | he will copulate with her |
H7693-02 |
Isaiah 13:16 | תשגלנה | tshglnh | HVNi3fp |
will be ravished | they will be sexually violated |
H7693-01 |
Jeremiah 3:2 | שגלת | shglt | HVPp2fs |
been ravished | you were sexually violated |
H7693-02 |
Zechariah 14:2 | תשגלנה | tshglnh | HVNi3fp |
they-will-be-raped | they will be sexually violated |