שֶׂכְוִי
𐤔𐤊𐤅𐤉
sekvîy
H7907 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bird, most likely referring to the rooster or cock, noted for its keen perception or timing, particularly its association with the announcement of dawn; in its singular biblical occurrence, relates to the idea of discernment or awareness, possibly by metaphorical extension.
Semantic Range
cock, rooster; alertness, wakefulness, discernment (metaphorical); mind, understanding (interpretive translation tradition)
Root / Etymology
The term שֶׂכְוִי (sekvîy) is likely derived from the root שׂכה or a cognate form connected to perception or observation, though the precise verbal root is uncertain. The word appears to be constructed on a pattern indicating a being characterized by the trait of discernment or observation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׂכְוִי occurs only in Job 38:36 in the phrase 'Who has put wisdom in the inward parts (טֻחוֹת)? Or who has given understanding to the sekvîy (שֶׂכְוִי)?' Most modern scholarship identifies שֶׂכְוִי as a bird, specifically the rooster, which is known for its crowing at dawn. This identification is reflected in most modern translations and is drawn from ancient versions, such as the Targum and later rabbinic literature. Some older translations, following Strong's gloss, render it as 'mind' or 'heart,' interpreting it metaphorically as referring to human discernment, but the bird identification is now more widely accepted based on linguistic and contextual evidence. There are no indications that the term referred to ethnic or geographic identities. The word illustrates how animal metaphors were sometimes used in Hebrew to describe human qualities such as alertness or awareness. The semantic shift toward 'mind' or 'understanding' in some translation traditions appears to be interpretive rather than lexical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as שֵׂכוּ; observant, i.e. (concretely) the mind; heart.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שכה (ś-k-h) — to perceive, to observe, to be alert
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5393 | נִשְׁכָּה | his storage-chamber |
| H7904 | שָׁכָה | those leading astray |
| H7906 | שֵׂכוּ | in the Lookout |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7907-01 |
לַ/שֶּׂ֣כְוִי | lasekhevi | HRd/Ncmsa |
to the heart | to the rooster | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7907-01 |
Job 38:36 | לַ/שֶּׂ֣כְוִי | lasekhevi | HRd/Ncmsa |
to the heart | to the rooster |