שִׂטְנָה
𐤔𐤈𐤍𐤄
siṭnâh
H7855 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A written accusation or charge, especially one presented in a formal context against an individual or a group, typically in legal or administrative settings. In biblical usage, refers specifically to documents or communications that express opposition, obstruction, or an adversarial accusation, often to hinder a project or action.
Semantic Range
formal accusation, official opposition, written charge, adversarial communication, hostile letter, complaint presented to authorities
Root / Etymology
Root: שָׂטַן (ś-ṭ-n), meaning 'to oppose, be an adversary, act as an accuser'. The noun שִׂטְנָה (siṭnâh) is a derivative, denoting the result or product of opposition—specifically an accusation or hostile communication. The formation involves the addition of the nominal -ָה ending, common in abstract or action nouns.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שִׂטְנָה appears in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Ezra, referring to accusatory letters sent to the Persian king to prevent or delay the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple. The term’s context is adversarial litigation or opposition before authorities. While the root שָׂטַן carries the broader sense of adversarial action (verbal, legal, or other), שִׂטְנָה in the biblical corpus is limited to written accusation—a context that highlights administrative procedures during the Persian period. It differs from related terms such as רָצַח (to murder), רִיב (to dispute), or קָטֵגּוֹר (Hellenistic era, 'accuser'), by its written, formalized nature and its function in external opposition rather than internal dispute. Later translations sometimes render it simply as 'accusation,' 'charges,' or 'complaint,' but the nuance of official, written opposition may be lost. The semantic development reflects the post-exilic context: during Persian rule, official or administrative objections were a recognized means of political opposition. In later periods, including rabbinic literature, derivatives of this root would be associated more generally with adversarial accusation, but in biblical usage שִׂטְנָה is specific and technical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂטַן; opposition (by letter); accusation.
Bantu Hebrew
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שׂטן (ś-ṭ-n) — oppose, act as adversary, accuse
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7855-01 |
שִׂטְנָ֔ה | sitenah | HNcfsa |
an accusation | written accusation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7855-01 |
Ezra 4:6 | שִׂטְנָ֔ה | sitenah | HNcfsa |
an accusation | written accusation |