שׂוּג
𐤔𐤅𐤂
sûwg
H7735 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To turn aside, move away, or go back; in some contexts, to depart or be withdrawn. The word generally conveys a sense of retreat, deviation from a prior course, or withdrawal, whether physically, figuratively (as from loyalty or righteousness), or socially (as in withdrawing favor or support).
Semantic Range
to withdraw, to turn back, to retreat, to depart, to turn aside (from loyalty, righteousness, or a path); rarely, to become estranged
Root / Etymology
The root שׂוג (sûwg) is a triliteral, likely related to the basic sense 'to move away' or 'turn aside.' Some connect it loosely to other North-West Semitic roots with similar semantic fields. It is not etymologically connected to the idea of 'growth' or 'hedging in,' making the Strong's gloss partially misleading. The lexeme often appears in poetic or figurative contexts in biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb שׂוּג is attested sparsely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Psalms 80:18; Proverbs 14:14) and is primarily used in poetic register to indicate withdrawal or turning aside, such as a heart turning away or a person turning back from a path. There is no evidence supporting a meaning of 'to hedge in' or 'make to grow' in actual biblical usage; Strong's gloss may reflect confusion with related but distinct roots or influence of translation tradition. The verb is distinct from סוּג (sûg), meaning 'to fence in,' and also from סוּר (sûr), 'to turn aside, depart.' Careful contextual analysis shows שׂוּג is more often associated with turning back or retreat, often with negative connotations of disloyalty or wavering. English translations sometimes render it as 'depart,' 'turn back,' or 'withdraw.' Its limited usage makes it primarily a poetic or literary term, with minimal semantic development across periods, though it appears mainly in monarchic and exilic/post-exilic literary contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to hedge in; make to grow.
Bantu Hebrew
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שׂוג (s-w-g) — turn aside, retreat, move away
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7735-01 |
תְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִי | tesagesegi | HVli2fs |
you will cause to grow | you will drive back | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7735-01 |
Isaiah 17:11 | תְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִי | tesagesegi | HVli2fs |
you will cause to grow | you will drive back |