שֶׁגֶר (H7698) — Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׁגֶר

𐤔𐤂𐤓

sheger

H7698 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Young offspring, particularly the young of domesticated animals, especially cattle, sheep, or goats. The term denotes the 'issue' or 'yield' of animals, typically understood as newborn or recently born animals. In context, it often refers to the offspring produced in a seasonal cycle or used in cultic or legal enumerations of increase, especially where firstborn or first-yield is relevant.

Semantic Range

offspring of domesticated animals, young of herd animals, increase (as progeny), specifically newborn animals, issue of cattle/sheep/goats

Root / Etymology

Root: שגר. The root is not attested elsewhere, but is likely related to a Semitic root meaning 'to yield forth, to bring out, to birth.' The core idea is the act of bringing forth progeny or generating offspring. The noun שֶׁגֶר is a substantive derived from this root, with the concrete reference to the product of animal reproduction.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שֶׁגֶר appears in a limited set of passages, most notably in legal or cultic contexts regarding firstborn animals (e.g., Exodus 13:12, Exodus 34:19). It is paired with terms specifying kinds of animals ('שֶׁגֶר בְּהֵמָה', 'the increase of cattle') and is rarely, if ever, used of human offspring. The associated regulations often concern the dedication of first-yield or firstborn animals to deity, making the term significant in sacrificial and economic regulations. In biblical usage, 'sheger' is generally contrasted with generic terms for offspring (e.g., יֶלֶד for human children) and is distinct from harvest-related yields of land. Later translations sometimes render this as 'increase,' which can conceal its specific reference to animal young. There is no direct correlation to later religious or ethnic identities in its usage. The term's range remained stable from the monarchic to post-exilic periods.

Translation Consistency

primary "offspring" 5 occurrences

“Offspring” is the most natural, neutral English term that captures the typical meaning of שֶׁגֶר — young or newly born animals of the herd (cattle, sheep, goats). It fits both singular and collective senses, and works well in legal/cultic contexts where the yield or issue of animals is meant. It preserves the generality of the Hebrew without forcing a more technical or awkward wording.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root probably meaning to eject; the fetus (as finally expelled); that cometh of, increase.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שגר (š-g-r) — bring forth, birth, eject, yield offspring

Root שגר to bring forth, to eject, to birth

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H7698-01`	שְׁגַר	shegar	`HNcmsc`	increase	offspring of	offspring of	4
`H7698-02`	שֶׁ֣גֶר	sheger	`HNcmsc`	offspring	birthing-yield of	offspring of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H7698-02`	Exodus 13:12	שֶׁ֣גֶר	sheger	`HNcmsc`	offspring	birthing-yield of	offspring of
`H7698-01`	Deuteronomy 7:13	שְׁגַר	shegar	`HNcmsc`	increase	offspring of	offspring of
`H7698-01`	Deuteronomy 28:4	שְׁגַ֥ר	shegar	`HNcmsc`	increase	offspring of	offspring of
`H7698-01`	Deuteronomy 28:18	שְׁגַ֥ר	shegar	`HNcmsc`	increase	offspring of	offspring of
`H7698-01`	Deuteronomy 28:51	שְׁגַ֥ר	shegar	`HNcmsc`	increase	offspring of	offspring of

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