סוּת
properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
Definition
The Hebrew word סוּת (çûwth) fundamentally means 'to prick' or 'to goad,' describing the act of inciting or provoking someone to action. In a positive sense, it can mean to encourage or persuade, as seen when Achsah urges Caleb to ask for springs of water (Joshua 15:18, Judges 1:14). More often, it carries a negative connotation of inciting someone to do evil, such as seducing others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6) or provoking someone to anger, as in the case of Ahab being incited by Jezebel (1 Kings 21:25). This range shows the word's power to describe both constructive urging and destructive temptation.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used 18 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and legal contexts. It frequently appears in stories of political or spiritual seduction. A key pattern is its use in describing divine or demonic incitement: compare 2 Samuel 24:1, where the Lord incites David, with 1 Chronicles 21:1, where Satan performs the same action. It is also used for human persuasion, both benign (Judges 1:14) and malign (Deuteronomy 13:6). Its usage spans the Pentateuch, Historical Books, and Prophets, highlighting its role in narratives of moral testing and consequence.
Etymology
The exact etymology is uncertain, but it is possibly a denominative verb derived from the noun שַׁיִת (shayith, H7898), meaning 'thorn' or 'pricking plant.' This root connection to a sharp object aligns with the core meaning of 'to prick' or 'goad,' which then expanded metaphorically to mean 'to incite' or 'stimulate' someone to action, whether for good or ill.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears at the nexus of human agency, divine sovereignty, and evil. In 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1, it is used to describe the incitement behind David's sinful census, offering a profound case study in biblical perspective on causation. Understanding סוּת enriches reading by revealing the complex biblical portrayal of temptation and provocation, showing that such incitement can come from human sources (Deuteronomy 13:6), from God in the context of judgment or testing, and from adversarial spiritual forces.
In an ancient Near Eastern pastoral and agricultural society, the imagery of 'pricking' or 'goading' from the word's likely root would be immediately understood. A goad was a sharp stick used to direct oxen. The metaphorical extension to human persuasion—whether a gentle nudge or a harmful provocation—reflects a culture familiar with direct, physical analogies for social and spiritual dynamics. The negative usage often relates to the grave cultural and religious offense of enticing others into idolatry, a capital crime in Israel's covenant law.
סָתַר (sathar, H5641) — to incite secretly or instigate rebellion, often with more covert, conspiratorial overtones. פָּתָה (pathah, H6601) — to deceive, persuade, or seduce, often in the context of leading someone astray through guile or flattery. יָסַר (yacar, H3256) — to instruct, chasten, or correct, focusing on discipline and moral training rather than simple incitement.
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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