שָׁפַט
𐤔𐤐𐤈
shâphaṭ
H8199 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To judge, to decide or render a verdict, to exercise authority in making legal or moral decisions. In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ) denotes the official or communal act of rendering judgments or arbitral decisions between parties, often implying both the resolution of disputes and the broader functions of governance, administration of justice, maintenance of order, and, at times, military leadership. Used both of legal judgments and of the wider activity of rule or governance among ancient Israelites.
Semantic Range
to judge or render legal decision; to govern or rule; to deliver justice; to defend or vindicate a party; to punish or condemn; to act as an official arbiter; to engage in legal or forensic dispute; to execute judgment or decree
Root / Etymology
Root שׁ־פ־ט (שָׁפַט), meaning 'to judge, to govern, to decide.' The core root conveys the idea of setting things right through authoritative decision or intervention. The verb form signifies the action of adjudicating or governing, typically in a communal, legal, or administrative context. The noun forms (e.g., שֹׁפֵט, 'judge') and related derivatives confirm this root meaning as central to legal and civic processes in ancient Israelite society.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite society (patriarchal and pre-monarchic periods), שָׁפַט referred to communal decision-making or the activity of elders or recognized figures mediating disputes. During the period of the Judges (see book of Judges), שָׁפַט described the role of charismatic leaders who delivered and governed Israelite tribes—with functions including military leadership, legal adjudication, and administration of communal affairs. In the monarchic period, the verb referred especially to the role of formal judicial institutions, royal courts, and officials vested with legal authority. In prophetic literature, שָׁפַט is often employed in expressions denouncing injustice or demanding righteous judgment. In later biblical Hebrew and during the Second Temple period, the term commonly denotes both legal decision-making and more abstract acts of judgment, including eschatological contexts. English translations as 'judge' or 'govern' capture only part of its semantic range; the term often implies both judicial adjudication and executive governance, depending on context. It is distinct from terms that exclusively denote kingship or priestly activity, though it may overlap in function.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שפט (š-p-ṭ) — to judge, to govern, to decide
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3092 | יְהוֹשָׁפָט | to YHWH-has-judged |
| H478 | אֱלִישָׁפָט | El has judged |
| H4941 | מִשְׁפָּט | according to your ruling |
| H8196 | שְׁפוֹט | Pronounce judgment! |
| H8200 | שְׁפַט | judging ones |
Word Forms
79 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8199-34 |
שֹׁפֵ֥ט | shofet | HVqrmsa |
judging | judging one | 16 |
H8199-54 |
וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט | vayishepot | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he judged | and he judged | 14 |
H8199-77 |
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ט | yishepot | HVqj3ms |
he will judge | may he judge | 13 |
H8199-43 |
שֹׁפְטִ֣ים | shofetim | HVqrmpa |
judges | judging-ones | 9 |
H8199-12 |
לִ/שְׁפֹּ֣ט | lishepot | HR/Vqc |
to judge | to judge | 9 |
H8199-05 |
הֲ/שֹׁפֵט֙ | hashofet | HTi/Vqrmsc |
the judge | the judging-one | 8 |
H8199-04 |
אֶשְׁפּ֣וֹט | eshepot | HVqi1cs |
I will judge | I will judge | 6 |
H8199-38 |
שֹׁפְטֵ֖י | shofetey | HVqrmpc |
judges | judgers of | 6 |
H8199-60 |
וְ/שָׁפַט֙ | veshafat | HC/Vqp3ms |
and-he-will-judge | and he judged | 5 |
H8199-07 |
הֲ/תִשְׁפֹּ֣ט | hatishepot | HTi/Vqi2ms |
will you judge | Will you judge? | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
204 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8199-77 |
Genesis 16:5 | יִשְׁפֹּ֥ט | yishepot | HVqj3ms |
judge | may he judge |
H8199-05 |
Genesis 18:25 | הֲ/שֹׁפֵט֙ | hashofet | HTi/Vqrmsc |
the Judge | the judging-one |
H8199-54 |
Genesis 19:9 | וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט | vayishepot | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he judges / and he would judge | and he judged |
H8199-24 |
Genesis 19:9 | שָׁפ֔וֹט | shafot | HVqa |
judging | judging |
H8199-75 |
Genesis 31:53 | יִשְׁפְּט֣וּ | yishepetu | HVqi3mp |
judge | they will judge |
H8199-65 |
Exodus 2:14 | וְ/שֹׁפֵט֙ | veshofet | HC/Vqrmsa |
and a judge | and judging one |
H8199-71 |
Exodus 5:21 | וְ/יִשְׁפֹּ֑ט | veyishepot | HC/Vqi3ms |
and judge | and he will judge |
H8199-12 |
Exodus 18:13 | לִ/שְׁפֹּ֣ט | lishepot | HR/Vqc |
to judge | to judge |
H8199-62 |
Exodus 18:16 | וְ/שָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י | veshafateti | HC/Vqq1cs |
and I judge | and I judged |
H8199-64 |
Exodus 18:22 | וְ/שָׁפְט֣וּ | veshafetu | HC/Vqq3cp |
and they shall judge | and they judged |