שָׁפַט

𐤔𐤐𐤈

shâphaṭ

H8199 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שפט to judge, to govern, to decide

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 Word

Root 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