שִׂיג
𐤔𐤉𐤂
sîyg
H7873 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A going away, departure, or movement away from a point of origin, typically in the sense of turning aside or withdrawing, whether literally (physical movement away or isolation) or figuratively (alienation, diversion of attention, or separation). Sometimes has the nuance of pursuing a divergent path or being engrossed in external pursuits.
Semantic Range
withdrawal, turning aside, preoccupation with external pursuits, moving away, alienation, restless activity, pursuit, dissipation of effort
Root / Etymology
Root שׂוּג (s-w-g), meaning 'to move away, turn aside, retreat.' שִׂיג (sîyg) is a noun formation from this root, denoting the act or state of turning aside, withdrawing, or going away. The word is a nominal derivative, not the verbal form itself, and is related to but distinct from other derivations from the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical usage, שִׂיג appears rarely, occurring in poetic or wisdom literature (notably Psalm 39:7 [MT 39:6]), with the sense of 'toil' or 'pursuing' activities that ultimately prove fleeting or vain. The image is that of a person turning aside or being preoccupied with external affairs, leading to a sense of alienation or a life led away from core purpose. While the root carries broader meanings ('turn aside,' 'move away'), the noun שִׂיג in biblical contexts has developed a particular nuance of restless pursuit or dissipation of effort. Standard English translations such as 'vain show' (KJV) or 'an empty shadow' (NRSV) may obscure the word's underlying nuance of active movement away or self-distraction, rather than mere emptiness. The meaning should be distinguished from words meaning 'refuse' or 'dross' (e.g., סִיג), with which it is sometimes confused due to similar spelling and pronunciation, but which derive from a different root with the meaning 'to refine.' There is no evidence this term functioned as an ethnic or religious designator in ancient Israelite, Judahite, or Judean contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שׂוּג; a withdrawal (into a private place); pursuing.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂוג (s-w-g) — to turn aside, to move away, to withdraw, to retreat
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7873-01 |
שִׂ֛יג | sig | HNcmsa |
he has gone aside | turning-aside | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7873-01 |
1 Kings 18:27 | שִׂ֛יג | sig | HNcmsa |
he has gone aside | turning-aside |