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שֶׂה

𐤔𐤄

seh

H7716 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שה to wander, graze; to push out (root sense, if from שָׁאָה)

Definition

A young member of small livestock, either a sheep or goat; used broadly for any individual animal in a flock of sheep or goats, regardless of age or sex, though most often denoting a lamb or kid in sacrificial, cultic, or pastoral contexts. The term does not imply species exclusivity and can refer contextually to both sheep and goats, especially when laws or narratives pertain to both, unless specifically differentiated. Often denotes sacrificial animals or representations of innocence and vulnerability in prophetic and poetic contexts.

Semantic Range

member of a flock, sheep or goat, lamb, kid, young flock animal, sacrificial animal, pastoral metaphor for innocence or vulnerability

Root / Etymology

Probably derived from the root שָׁאָה (sha'ah), meaning 'to push out, to wander,' reflecting the behavior of grazing livestock. The form שֶׂה (seh) is a noun applied to an individual animal from a flock, irrespective of specific age or sex. The close association with flock animals highlights its pastoral usage and prominence in agrarian society. Compare the possible but unattested relationship to the root for more general 'moving about' or 'grazing.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שֶׂה is used primarily for individual sheep or goats, particularly as sacrificial victims in cultic law (e.g. Exodus 12:3, Passover lamb; Leviticus). It contrasts with other terms like כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, 'ram', specifically a male sheep), אֵיל (ayil, another term for 'ram'), or עֵז (ez, 'goat'). While most English translations render שֶׂה as 'lamb,' this can misleadingly narrow the sense; the Hebrew term refers more broadly to any single member of the flock, either sheep or goat, and not always limited to juvenile animals. In narrative and legal passages, context determines whether a sheep or goat is intended. In poetic or prophetic literature, שֶׂה sometimes functions symbolically to evoke imagery of vulnerability, innocence, or sacrificial significance. Usage remains consistent from the earliest biblical texts through exilic literature, reflecting the enduring importance of flock animals in Israelite society. Later translations (including LXX, Vulgate, and early modern English versions) tended to interpret the term as 'lamb,' which may obscure its broader Hebrew usage. There is no evidence of the term's scope narrowing to specifically one species or age group prior to post-biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שֵׂי; probably from שָׁאָה through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat; (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare זֶה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שה (ś-h) — to wander, graze; to push out

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7716-06 שֶׂ֣ה seh HNcbsa sheep flock animal 24
H7716-09 וָ/שֶֽׂה vaseh HC/Ncbsa and sheep and a flock-animal 5
H7716-01 הַ/שֶּׂ֖ה haseh HTd/Ncbsa the lamb the flock-animal 5
H7716-10 בְ/שֶׂ֔ה veseh HR/Ncbsa with a lamb flock animal 5
H7716-04 לַ/שֶּׂ֥ה laseh HRd/Ncbsa and-sheep to a flock-animal 3
H7716-08 שֵׂי/וֹ֙ seyo HNcbsc/Sp3ms his sheep his flock-animal 1
H7716-07 שְׂיֵ֗/הוּ seyehu HNcbsc/Sp3ms his sheep his flock-animal 1
H7716-05 מִ/שֶּׂה֒ miseh HR/Ncbsa a lamb flock animal 1
H7716-02 כַּ/שֶּׂה֙ kaseh HRd/Ncbsa like a lamb like a flock-animal 1
H7716-03 כְּ/שֶׂ֣ה keseh HR/Ncbsa like a sheep like a flock-animal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

47 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7716-01 Genesis 22:7 הַ/שֶּׂ֖ה haseh HTd/Ncbsa the lamb the flock-animal
H7716-01 Genesis 22:8 הַ/שֶּׂ֛ה haseh HTd/Ncbsa the lamb the flock-animal
H7716-06 Genesis 30:32 שֶׂ֣ה seh HNcbsa sheep flock animal
H7716-06 Genesis 30:32 שֶׂה seh-2 HNcbsa sheep flock animal
H7716-06 Exodus 12:3 שֶׂ֥ה seh HNcbsa lamb flock animal
H7716-06 Exodus 12:3 שֶׂ֥ה seh-2 HNcbsa lamb flock animal
H7716-05 Exodus 12:4 מִ/שֶּׂה֒ miseh HR/Ncbsa a lamb flock animal
H7716-01 Exodus 12:4 הַ/שֶּֽׂה haseh HTd/Ncbsa the lamb the flock-animal
H7716-06 Exodus 12:5 שֶׂ֥ה seh HNcbsa lamb flock animal
H7716-10 Exodus 13:13 בְ/שֶׂ֔ה veseh HR/Ncbsa with a lamb flock animal
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