שָׂחוּ
a pond (for swimming)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שָׁחוּ (sâchûw) refers specifically to a body of water deep enough for swimming, best understood as a 'swimming place' or 'pond for swimming.' It derives from the verb meaning 'to swim' and thus inherently describes a location defined by that activity. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 47:5, where it is used metaphorically to describe the miraculous, ever-deepening waters flowing from the future temple. There, it marks a specific depth measurement where the water had become 'a river that could not be passed through,' a profound shift from wading to swimming.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in Ezekiel 47:5. Its usage is entirely within the visionary context of Ezekiel's description of the life-giving river flowing from the temple. It serves as a precise measurement point in the prophet's guided tour, marking the transition from water that is ankle-deep, knee-deep, and waist-deep to water that is deep enough to swim in—a river that cannot be crossed on foot.
Etymology
שָׁחוּ (sâchûw) is a noun derived directly from the root verb שׁחה (sâchâh, H7811), which means 'to swim.' The noun form essentially means 'a place of swimming' or 'that which is swum in.' This direct derivation makes its meaning very specific and tied to the action of its root.
Semantic Range
Though a simple noun, its single use in Ezekiel 47 is theologically significant. It functions as a key marker in the progression of the temple river, symbolizing the overwhelming, immersive, and life-sustaining abundance of God's presence and blessing in the messianic age. Understanding it as a 'swimming place' enriches the imagery, moving from a trickle one can control to a torrent one must be carried by, illustrating complete dependence on and immersion in God's provision and holiness.
In an arid region, a reliable body of water deep enough for swimming would have been a rare and treasured source of life, refreshment, and cleansing. The concept would evoke ideas of abundance, luxury, and survival. In Ezekiel's vision, this cultural understanding of a 'swimming place' is transformed into a supernatural symbol of inexhaustible spiritual life flowing from God's dwelling place.
בּרֶךְ (berekhâh, H1293) — a general term for a pool or pond, often man-made for storage, not specifically for swimming. אִגָם (ʾagâm, H98) — a marshy pool or reedy pond, often natural and stagnant, contrasting with the flowing, deep water implied by שָׁחוּ.
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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