שֵׂחַ
communion, i.e. (reflexively) meditation
Definition
The noun שֵׂחַ (sêach) refers to deep, internal thought or meditation, specifically the kind of mental activity that involves pondering, considering, or communing with oneself. It describes a reflective, inward-focused process. In its single biblical occurrence in Amos 4:13, it is used in parallel with 'knowledge' to describe God's profound understanding, suggesting a divine, contemplative awareness of all things. While often glossed simply as 'thought' or 'meditation,' its context points to a weighty, purposeful mental engagement.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Amos 4:13. It is used in a poetic description of God's sovereign power and omniscience. The prophet declares that God reveals His thoughts (שֵׂחַ) to humanity. The word is paired with 'knowledge' (דַּעַת, H1847), emphasizing that God's 'thoughts' are not random but are expressions of His perfect, active understanding of creation and history.
Etymology
שֵׂחַ (sêach) is a by-form or variant of the more common noun שִׂיחַ (sîach, H7879), which means 'complaint,' 'musing,' 'meditation,' or 'prayer.' Both derive from the root שׂוח/שיח (śwḥ/śyḥ), meaning 'to muse,' 'to complain,' 'to meditate,' or 'to talk.' This root family often carries the sense of audible or internal speech, whether in lament, prayer, or deep reflection. The form שֵׂחַ represents a specific nuance focused on the internal, contemplative aspect.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, is theologically significant as it is uniquely applied to God's own mind. In Amos 4:13, it underscores God's active consciousness and intentionality. He is not a distant deity but one who 'declares to man what is his thought.' This affirms that God's revelation is an intentional communication of His perfect wisdom and plans. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this verse by highlighting that divine revelation flows from God's profound, personal contemplation about His creation and purposes.
In ancient Hebrew thought, the concept of 'thought' or 'meditation' (שֵׂחַ/שִׂיחַ) was not a purely silent, internal process as often conceived today. It frequently involved speaking or murmuring aloud, blending internal reflection with external expression, especially in contexts of prayer or lament. When applied to God, it poetically anthropomorphizes the divine mind, using a human activity to describe God's perfect and active understanding, which He then chooses to reveal.
שִׂיחַ (sîach, H7879) — A more common synonym meaning 'complaint,' 'meditation,' or 'musing'; often implies audible expression. הָגָה (hāgâ, H1897) — 'To meditate,' 'mutter,' 'moan'; focuses on the sound or utterance of thought. רַעְיוֹן (raʿyôn, H7454) — 'Thought,' 'purpose'; used in later Biblical Hebrew (e.g., Daniel) for thoughts or plans.
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.
Full methodology & sources →