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שָׁתָה

𐤔𐤕𐤄

shâthâh

H8356 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שית to set, place, put

Definition

A foundation, base, or underlying support; in extended usage, the basis or underlying principle of something, particularly in moral, political, or ideological contexts. Frequently refers to what serves as the essential underpinning of a person, group, or structure, whether material or abstract.

Semantic Range

foundation, basis, underlying support, underpinning, moral or political base, framework, principle

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root שית (to set, place, put), conveying the idea of placing or setting something to serve as a foundation or base. This noun formation denotes that which is set down as a support or underlying structure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁתָה appears only in a limited number of contexts (notably Psalm 11:3), where it describes the foundational principles or supports of a community, especially in a moral or social sense. Its usage is distinct from more common terms like יְסוֹד (yesod), which typically denotes a physical foundation of a building. Scholarly consensus suggests שָׁתָה is primarily used metaphorically for the underlying principles or moral supports of society, rather than physical structures. In later Hebrew and Rabbinic literature, related roots continue to express the idea of settings, bases, or placements. English translations often render it as "foundation(s)," but this may not capture the full metaphorical weight concerning societal or ethical bases. The term is rare and primarily poetic, never referring to the physical act of construction but to the underlying framework enabling stability, order, or integrity. It is not used for religious or cultic foundations and should not be confused with structural terminology associated with temple or altar bases.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שִׁית; a basis, i.e. (figuratively) political or moral support; foundation, purpose.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שית (sh-y-t) — to set, place, put

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6246 עֲשִׁת I will set
H7896 שִׁית I will set
H7897 שִׁית garment of
H7898 שַׁיִת wild overgrowth
H8351 שֵׁת Appointed One

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8356-02 שָׁתֹתֶ֖י/הָ shatoteyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs foundations of it her foundations 1
H8356-01 הַ֭/שָּׁתוֹת hashatot HTd/Ncmpa the foundations the foundations 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8356-02 Isaiah 19:10 שָׁתֹתֶ֖י/הָ shatoteyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs foundations of it her foundations
H8356-01 Psalms 11:3 הַ֭/שָּׁתוֹת hashatot HTd/Ncmpa the foundations the foundations
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