שָׁחַט
𐤔𐤇𐤈
shâchaṭ
H7820 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hammer, forge, or shape metal, primarily by repeated striking; to beat or flatten by pounding. The verb describes the action of a smith or artisan working metal, specifically with the intent to shape it through force. It can also refer, in a broader sense, to beating or flattening any material by vigorous physical impact.
Semantic Range
to hammer (metal), to beat or shape by striking, to flatten by pounding, to fashion metalwork through hammering
Root / Etymology
Root is שָׁחַט (shin-chet-tet), from the root meaning 'to strike, to beat.' The verb is formed directly from this root, designating the process of shaping (especially metal) by striking or pounding. While related in form to other roots (e.g., שָׁחַט meaning 'to slaughter'), the semantic development here is in the direction of physical striking rather than ritual action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׁחַט is attested in the Hebrew Bible chiefly in contexts describing the process of metalworking, particularly in poetic or prophetic language (e.g. Isaiah 41:7), where artisans are depicted fashioning idols by beating or hammering metal. It is distinct from other terms referring to general striking (e.g., נָכָה) or slaughtering (which uses the homograph שָׁחַט, but with a different semantic field). English translations sometimes use 'hammer' or 'beat,' but these do not fully capture the skilled, intentional aspect of shaping implied in the Hebrew. The word is not commonly used for general violence or routine hitting, but specifically for artisanal or constructive uses. Over time, the word's use narrowed mostly to the context of craftsmanship, and it is not used for ritual slaughter (despite the identical form—context determines meaning). In the post-biblical period, the root is retained in metallurgical and crafts contexts in related languages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (identical with שָׁחַט through the idea of striking); to hammer out; beat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁחט (š-ḥ-ṭ) — to strike, to beat, to forge
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7821 | שְׁחִיטָה | slaughter-of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7820-01 |
שָׁח֑וּט | shachut | HVqsmsa |
beaten | hammered-out | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7820-01 |
1 Kings 10:16 | שָׁח֑וּט | shachut | HVqsmsa |
beaten | hammered-out |
H7820-01 |
1 Kings 10:17 | שָׁח֔וּט | shachut | HVqsmsa |
beaten | hammered-out |
H7820-01 |
2 Chronicles 9:15 | שָׁח֑וּט | shachut | HVqsmsa |
hammered | hammered-out |
H7820-01 |
2 Chronicles 9:15 | שָׁח֔וּט | shachut-2 | HVqsmsa |
hammered | hammered-out |
H7820-01 |
2 Chronicles 9:16 | שָׁח֔וּט | shachut | HVqsmsa |
beaten | hammered-out |