סָתַם
to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret
Definition
The Hebrew verb סָתַם (satham) primarily means 'to stop up' or 'to close,' often referring to physically blocking a water source, as seen when the Philistines stopped up Abraham's wells (Genesis 26:15, 18). By extension, it can mean 'to repair' or 'fortify,' such as when King Hezekiah stopped the water sources outside Jerusalem to prepare for siege (2 Chronicles 32:3-4). In a figurative sense, it means 'to hide' or 'to keep secret,' describing God hiding His face in Deuteronomy 31:18 due to Israel's idolatry.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears 15 times, primarily in narrative and prophetic books. Its literal usage dominates, describing the stopping of wells (Genesis 26), water sources in warfare (2 Kings 3:19, 25; 2 Chronicles 32), and engineering projects (2 Chronicles 32:30). The figurative usage is rarer but significant, appearing in Deuteronomy 31:18 and the Balaam oracles (Numbers 24:15-16 in the variant form שָׂתַם), where it conveys concealment of knowledge or divine presence.
Etymology
A primitive root, with a variant spelling שָׂתַם (satham) in Numbers 24:15. It is related to the Akkadian 'satamu,' meaning 'to stop up' or 'seal,' and possibly to the Hebrew סָתַר (sathar, H5641), meaning 'to hide,' sharing a core concept of concealment or obstruction.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges physical and spiritual realities. Literally, it describes human actions to control resources or secure defenses. Figuratively, it describes God's relational withdrawal ('hiding His face') as a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 31:18), a profound concept of divine judgment. Understanding this range enriches reading by showing how physical acts of stopping water can parallel spiritual dynamics of blocked blessing or hidden divine favor.
In an arid climate, controlling water sources was paramount for survival, agriculture, and military strategy. Stopping a well was an act of aggression (Genesis 26:15) or strategic defense (2 Chronicles 32). The act carried severe economic and social consequences, making the word's literal use deeply impactful. The figurative use of 'hiding' draws on this tangible idea of making a vital resource inaccessible.
סָתַר (sathar, H5641) — more general term for hiding or concealing, often used for people hiding themselves or God hiding His face. חָתַם (chatham, H2856) — to seal or affix a seal, focusing on authentication and security rather than obstruction. עָצַר (atsar, H6113) — to restrain or hold back, often used for withholding rain or blessings, less physical than stopping a well.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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