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שָׁתַל

𐤔𐤕𐤋

shâthal

H8362 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To plant, particularly in the sense of setting or establishing a plant by relocating it from one place to another. Within the Hebrew Bible, שָׁתַל (shâthal) is chiefly used to describe the action of deliberately planting trees, plants, or, metaphorically, people or communities in a settled place. It is more specific than the broader term for 'to plant' (נטע, nata‘), often carrying a nuance of deliberate placement or transplantation.

Semantic Range

to plant (especially by transplanting), to set in place (of plants or trees), to establish (metaphorically, of people or communities), to settle (transferred use), to cause to thrive (figurative)

Root / Etymology

Root: שׁ-ת-ל. The root meaning is 'to plant' or 'to transplant.' The verb שָׁתַל is a simple (qal) stem formation of this root. It refers to the action of planting, often with an emphasis on relocating or establishing something as planted. The etymology points to the act of setting in a place to grow, sometimes with the nuance of moving or transplanting from another location.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁתַל appears relatively rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is notably found in poetic or prophetic contexts, such as Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8, where it often depicts the deliberate establishment of a person or community, usually by God, in a place of prospering or sustenance (e.g., 'like a tree planted by streams of water'). This usage is sometimes metaphorical for divine provision, stability, or flourishing. The word stands in contrast to נטע (nata‘), the standard term for 'to plant,' which is more common and general. English translations often render שָׁתַל as 'plant' or 'transplant,' but the specific nuance of intentional relocation or establishment may be lost. In later biblical literature and in post-biblical Hebrew, שָׁתַל maintains its plant-related meaning but remains much less common than נטע. There is no significant development in meaning between the monarchic and post-exilic periods, as the term is consistently used for deliberate, often beneficial, planting.

Translation Consistency

primary "plant" 10 occurrences

"Plant" is the most natural, commonly used English verb that captures both the literal sense (setting/transplanting trees or plants) and the transferred sense (establishing or settling people/communities). It matches the majority of existing renderings and is more natural than the narrower, more clinical "transplant."

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to transplant; plant.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

שׁתל (shâthal) — to plant, to transplant, to establish (by planting)

Root שׁתל to plant, to transplant, to establish (by planting)

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8362-03 שְׁתוּלָ֑ה shetulah HVqsfsa it is planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine) 5
H8362-02 שָׁת֣וּל shatul HVqsmsa planted transplanted one planted 2
H8362-01 אֶשְׁתֳּלֶ֔/נּוּ eshetolenu HVqi1cs/Sp3ms I will plant it I will transplant him I will plant it 1
H8362-04 שְׁ֭תוּלִים shetulim HVqsmpa planted transplanted ones planted ones 1
H8362-05 וְ/שָׁתַ֣לְתִּי veshataleti HC/Vqq1cs and-I-will-plant and I will transplant and I will plant 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8362-02 Jeremiah 17:8 שָׁת֣וּל shatul HVqsmsa planted transplanted one planted
H8362-03 Ezekiel 17:8 שְׁתוּלָ֑ה shetulah HVqsfsa was planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine)
H8362-03 Ezekiel 17:10 שְׁתוּלָ֖ה shetulah HVqsfsa it is planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine)
H8362-05 Ezekiel 17:22 וְ/שָׁתַ֣לְתִּי veshataleti HC/Vqq1cs and-I-will-plant and I will transplant and I will plant
H8362-01 Ezekiel 17:23 אֶשְׁתֳּלֶ֔/נּוּ eshetolenu HVqi1cs/Sp3ms I will plant it I will transplant him I will plant it
H8362-03 Ezekiel 19:10 שְׁתוּלָ֑ה shetulah HVqsfsa planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine)
H8362-03 Ezekiel 19:13 שְׁתוּלָ֣ה shetulah HVqsfsa it is planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine)
H8362-03 Hosea 9:13 שְׁתוּלָ֣ה shetulah HVqsfsa is planted transplanted (feminine) planted (feminine)
H8362-02 Psalms 1:3 שָׁת֪וּל shatul HVqsmsa planted transplanted one planted
H8362-04 Psalms 92:14 שְׁ֭תוּלִים shetulim HVqsmpa planted transplanted ones planted ones
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