שָׂטַם (H7852) — Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂטַם

𐤔𐤈𐤌

sâṭam

H7852 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bear a grudge, nurse hostility or enmity, harbor animosity. Used of the personal emotion or disposition of enmity or deep-seated ill will—often with an element of hidden intent or internalized hatred, rather than overt or active persecution. In some contexts, it refers to the act of being an enemy, showing covert hostility, or maintaining a posture of opposition.

Semantic Range

to bear a grudge, nurse hostility, harbor animosity, be hostile, treat as an enemy (especially covertly), internalize resentment

Root / Etymology

Root: שׂטם likely represents an onomatopoeic root signifying covert or internalized opposition or animosity. The verbal form expresses a sense of inwardly storing up hostility, enmity, or resentment, rather than open-action enmity. It does not relate to physical action but rather to hidden or psychological antagonism. Cognate forms are not found, and the root is rare in biblical usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׂטַם is an uncommon verb, appearing primarily in poetic or wisdom contexts (e.g., Genesis 27:41 regarding Esau's grudge against Jacob, Psalms, and in Job). Its meaning reflects not open warfare or active pursuit, but a sustained internal animosity, akin to bearing a grudge, nursing hatred, or secretly remaining hostile. This nuance distinguishes it from more active Hebrew verbs for 'to hate' (e.g., שנא), which can indicate overt hostility or even practical acts stemming from hatred. In later stages of Hebrew, the term did not develop significant new meanings, suggesting its sense remained relatively constant. English translations sometimes overlook the internal, hidden aspect implied, rendering it simply as 'hate' or 'persecute,' which misses the nuance of covert, deeply felt animosity.

Translation Consistency

primary "harbor" 0 occurrences

“Harbor” best captures the typical sense of hidden, internalized hostility in the SILEX entry (harbor animosity, harbor a grudge). It is idiomatic and natural in English for continued, covert ill will (harbor resentment/harbor enmity) and works consistently across attested forms. Alternatives like “nurse” or “bear” were considered, but “harbor” more cleanly conveys the inward, sustained, often covert hostility described.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):

"nursed hostility toward" (2x) "nursed animosity" (1x) "bear a grudge against" (1x) "hate" (1x) "nurse hostility toward" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to lurk for, i.e. persecute; hate, oppose self against.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂטם (ś-ṭ-m) — to nurse animosity, bear a grudge, harbor hostility

Root שׂטם to nurse animosity, to bear a grudge, to be hostile

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H7852-03`	וַֽ/יִּשְׂטְמֻ֖/הוּ	vayisetemuhu	`HC/Vqw3mp/Sp3ms`	and harassed him	they nursed hostility toward him	they nursed hostility toward him	1
`H7852-01`	תִשְׂטְמֵֽ/נִי	tisetemeni	`HVqi2ms/Sp1cs`	you persecute me	you nurse hostility toward me	you nurse hostility toward me	1
`H7852-04`	וַ/יִּשְׂטֹ֤ם	vayisetom	`HC/Vqw3ms`	hated	and he nursed animosity	and he nursed animosity	1
`H7852-02`	וַֽ/יִּשְׂטְמֵ֗/נִי	vayisetemeni	`HC/Vqw3ms/Sp1cs`	and has hated me	and he nursed hostility toward me	and he nursed hostility toward me	1
`H7852-06`	יִשְׂטְמֽוּ/נִי	yisetemuni	`HVqi3mp/Sp1cs`	they hate me	they nurse hostility toward me	they hate me	1
`H7852-05`	יִשְׂטְמֵ֖/נוּ	yisetemenu	`HVqi3ms/Sp1cp`	he will hate us	he will bear a grudge against us	he will bear a grudge against us	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H7852-04`	Genesis 27:41	וַ/יִּשְׂטֹ֤ם	vayisetom	`HC/Vqw3ms`	hated	and he nursed animosity	and he nursed animosity
`H7852-03`	Genesis 49:23	וַֽ/יִּשְׂטְמֻ֖/הוּ	vayisetemuhu	`HC/Vqw3mp/Sp3ms`	and harassed him	they nursed hostility toward him	they nursed hostility toward him
`H7852-05`	Genesis 50:15	יִשְׂטְמֵ֖/נוּ	yisetemenu	`HVqi3ms/Sp1cp`	he will hate us	he will bear a grudge against us	he will bear a grudge against us
`H7852-06`	Psalms 55:4	יִשְׂטְמֽוּ/נִי	yisetemuni	`HVqi3mp/Sp1cs`	they hate me	they nurse hostility toward me	they hate me
`H7852-02`	Job 16:9	וַֽ/יִּשְׂטְמֵ֗/נִי	vayisetemeni	`HC/Vqw3ms/Sp1cs`	and has hated me	and he nursed hostility toward me	and he nursed hostility toward me
`H7852-01`	Job 30:21	תִשְׂטְמֵֽ/נִי	tisetemeni	`HVqi2ms/Sp1cs`	you persecute me	you nurse hostility toward me	you nurse hostility toward me

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