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שַׁד

𐤔𐤃

shad

H7699 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁד breast, udder, teat, to protrude (in physical sense, proposed)

Definition

Breast or udder, particularly the mammary gland of a woman or a female animal, emphasizing the function of nourishing by giving milk. Used in literal contexts to refer to female anatomy, often in relation to childbearing or nursing, and metaphorically as a symbol of fertility, nurturing, and abundance.

Semantic Range

female breast, udder of animals, source of milk/nourishment, symbol of fertility or nurturing; used euphemistically or metaphorically for abundance or attraction

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁוד, which in some forms means 'to deal violently' or 'devastate', but the relationship to שַׁד (breast/udder) is uncertain and likely reflects a distinct semantic development or a different root altogether. Some propose a connection with concepts of fullness or protrusion, but the exact etymology is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שַׁד is used mostly in poetic or descriptive passages, notably in contexts of nursing (e.g., Genesis 49:25; Job 3:12). The plural form שָׁדַיִם (shadaim) appears as well, emphasizing abundance or duality (two breasts/udders), and is sometimes used in imagery of fertility and nurturing or, in some erotic poetry (e.g., Song of Songs), as a motif of attraction and beauty. The word is distinct from later Rabbinic and modern Hebrew terms that sometimes absorb broader anatomical or metaphorical senses. Some later translations render forms of שָׁדַיִם as 'paps' or 'breasts,' and in the Septuagint as μαστός. The consonantal similarity, but not semantic overlap, with the divine title שַׁדַּי (Shaddai, often translated 'Almighty') has led to much speculation, but current scholarship keeps the terms distinct. In Akkadian, parallels such as 'šēdu' refer to spirits or demons, not breasts; thus, there is no clear Semitic cognate for 'breast.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שֹׁד; probably from שׁוּד (in its original sense) contracted; the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging); breast, pap, teat.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁד (sh-d) — breast, udder, teat, protrusion

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7699-06 שָׁדַ֖יִם shadayim HNcmda breasts pair of breasts 5
H7699-05 שָׁדַ֛יִ/ךְ shadayikhe HNcmdc/Sp2fs breasts your two breasts 3
H7699-08 שְׁדֵ֥י shedey HNcmdc the breasts breasts of 3
H7699-11 וְ/שָׁדַ֣יִ/ךְ veshadayikhe HC/Ncmdc/Sp2fs and your breasts and your breasts 2
H7699-12 וְ/שָׁדַ֖יִם veshadayim HC/Ncmda and breasts and breasts 2
H7699-02 מִ/שֹּׁ֖ד mishod HR/Ncmsc from the breast from the breast 2
H7699-03 שַׁ֔ד shad HNcmsa the breast breast 1
H7699-10 וְ/שָׁדַ֖/י veshaday HC/Ncmdc/Sp1cs and my breasts and the Overpowering One 1
H7699-04 שָׁדַ֖/י shaday HNcmdc/Sp1cs my breasts Overpowering One 1
H7699-13 וְ/שֹׁ֥ד veshod HC/Ncmsc and-breast and breast of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

24 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7699-06 Genesis 49:25 שָׁדַ֖יִם shadayim HNcmda of the breasts pair of breasts
H7699-01 Isaiah 28:9 מִ/שָּׁדָֽיִם mishadayim HR/Ncmda from the breasts from breasts
H7699-06 Isaiah 32:12 שָׁדַ֖יִם shadayim HNcmda breasts pair of breasts
H7699-13 Isaiah 60:16 וְ/שֹׁ֥ד veshod HC/Ncmsc and-breast and breast of
H7699-02 Isaiah 66:11 מִ/שֹּׁ֖ד mishod HR/Ncmsc from the breast from the breast
H7699-06 Ezekiel 16:7 שָׁדַ֤יִם shadayim HNcmda breasts pair of breasts
H7699-09 Ezekiel 23:3 שְׁדֵי/הֶ֔ן shedeyhen HNcmdc/Sp3fp their breasts their breasts
H7699-08 Ezekiel 23:21 שְׁדֵ֥י shedey HNcmdc the breasts breasts of
H7699-11 Ezekiel 23:34 וְ/שָׁדַ֣יִ/ךְ veshadayikhe HC/Ncmdc/Sp2fs and-your-breasts and your breasts
H7699-07 Hosea 2:4 שָׁדֶֽי/הָ shadeyha HNcmdc/Sp3fs her breasts her two breasts
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