שַׁלְהֶבֶת
𐤔𐤋𐤄𐤁𐤕
shalhebeth
H7957 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flame, especially one that is prominent, bright, or blazing; often indicates a tongue or stream of fire with notable intensity. The term can refer to visible, active fire, particularly its most luminous part, or metaphorically to intense passion or ardor when used poetically.
Semantic Range
flame; tongue of fire; blazing or burning fire; ardor or intense passion (poetic/metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the root להב ('to flame, blaze, burn'), with a prefixed sibilant (שׁ). The origin or precise force of the שׁ- prefix is debated; it may serve to intensify or particularize the base noun להבה ('flame'). The exact morphological process is uncertain, making the full etymology partially unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁלְהֶבֶת appears chiefly in poetic and metaphorical contexts, notably in Song of Songs (e.g. Song 8:6), where it conveys not only literal fire but powerful, consuming passion. The word's singular and infrequent use in the Tanakh underscores its poetic or elevated register, in contrast to the more general להבה. Later Jewish literature and translations such as the Septuagint tend to render it as 'flame' or equate it with intensity. The use of שַׁלְהֶבֶת does not denote sacrificial or ritual fire, which is usually described with different terms. English translations capture the basic sense as 'flame,' but poetic force or nuance can be lost.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as לַהַב with sibilant prefix; a flare of fire; (flaming) flame.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
להב (l-h-b) — to flame, to burn, to blaze
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3827 | לַבָּה | in blazing flame of |
| H3851 | לַהַב | in blazing flame of |
| H3852 | לֶהָבָה | flames of |
| H3853 | לְהָבִים | Flame-ones |
| H8514 | תַּלְאוּבָה | scorching droughts |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7957-02 |
שַׁלְהֶ֔בֶת | shalehevet | HNcfsa |
of-blaze | blazing flame | 1 |
H7957-03 |
שַׁלְהֶ֥בֶתְ | shalehevete | HNcfsa |
flame | blazing flame | 1 |
H7957-01 |
שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת | shalehavet | HNcfsa |
flame | blazing flame | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7957-02 |
Ezekiel 21:3 | שַׁלְהֶ֔בֶת | shalehevet | HNcfsa |
of-blaze | blazing flame |
H7957-01 |
Job 15:30 | שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת | shalehavet | HNcfsa |
flame | blazing flame |
H7957-03 |
Song of Songs 8:6 | שַׁלְהֶ֥בֶתְ | shalehevete | HNcfsa |
flame | blazing flame |