אֶשְׁדָּת
𐤀𐤔𐤃𐤕
ʼeshdâth
H799 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rare noun occurring in Deuteronomy 33:2, understood as a poetic expression related to fire or a fiery phenomenon, possibly indicating a torrential flow, stream of fire, flashing flame, or a blazing manifestation, especially as a metaphor for divine revelation or theophany. The precise meaning is uncertain due to the word's singular occurrence and challenging context, but it is associated with fire as a symbol of divine agency.
Semantic Range
fiery stream, torrent of fire, flashing flame, poetic or symbolic reference to divine manifestation or theophany; later interpreted as 'fiery law' in rabbinic/traditional readings
Root / Etymology
The form appears to be composed of אֵשׁ (ʼēsh, 'fire') and a second element, possibly related to דָּת (dāṯ, 'law' in Aramaic/Persian loanword context) or more likely analogous to a Semitic root for 'stream, slope, torrent.' Recent scholarship connects it to an Akkadian cognate (isidātu, 'foundation' or 'stream-bed'), suggesting a meaning like 'torrent of fire.' If broken as אֵשׁ-דָּת ('fire-law'), this is likely a later or secondary interpretation influenced by the context in Deuteronomy. Thus, etymology is uncertain, but best supported is a combination meaning 'torrent of fire' or 'fiery stream.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶשְׁדָּת appears only in Deuteronomy 33:2, within a poetic description of YHWH's appearance at Sinai. Traditional Jewish interpretation, influenced by later Aramaic and rabbinic readings, rendered it as 'fiery law,' linking the element דָּת ('law') with the giving of Torah. However, modern linguistic and philological analysis, supported by comparative Semitics, suggests it refers instead to a 'stream' or 'torrent of fire,' paralleling imagery of celestial fire phenomena in ancient Near Eastern theophanies. Its use is not theological in itself but symbolic, conveying dramatic unfolding of divine presence. The translation 'fiery law' is found in traditional English versions but may obscure its actual poetic nuance. The element דָּת ('law') occurs in the Hebrew Bible only in much later, Persian-period texts (e.g., Daniel, Esther), so it is unlikely to be the basis for this much earlier poetic term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵשׁ and דָּת; a fire-law; fiery law.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אשׁ + uncertain (possibly שׁד/שׁוד) (ʾ-š + š-d/š-w-d (uncertain)) — fire, burning; streaming, torrent, flashing flow
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H799-01 |
אשדת | shdt | HNcfsc |
fiery law | torrent of fire | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H799-01 |
Deuteronomy 33:2 | אשדת | shdt | HNcfsc |
fiery law | torrent of fire |