שֶׂה

a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat

Definition

The Hebrew noun שׁה (seh) is a general term for a small, domesticated ruminant animal, specifically a member of a flock. It most commonly refers to a sheep or a goat, without always specifying the species. This broad meaning is evident in passages like Exodus 12:3-5, where the Passover sacrifice is to be a שׁה, which could be taken from either the sheep or the goats. In some contexts, the word can specify a young animal, such as a lamb or kid, as seen in the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:7-8). Its usage emphasizes the animal's role as valuable, portable property central to pastoral life and religious ritual.

Biblical Usage

The word שׁה appears 38 times across the Pentateuch and Prophets, primarily in legal and narrative contexts concerning sacrifice, redemption, and property. It is frequently used in Exodus and Leviticus in laws about offerings (e.g., Exodus 12:3-5; 13:13) and restitution (Exodus 22:1). In narratives, it denotes the flocks owned by patriarchs, as in Jacob's agreement with Laban (Genesis 30:32). The term's flexibility allows it to function as a catch-all for small livestock in these varied settings.

Etymology

The word שׁה (or its variant שׁי) is likely derived from the root שָׁאָה (H7582, šā'ā), meaning 'to roar' or 'to crash.' The connection may be through the idea of an animal being 'pushed out' or driven to pasture, linking to the sound or action of herding. It is a distinct term from זה (H2089, zeh), which is a demonstrative pronoun ('this').

Semantic Range

The word שׁה is theologically significant as the primary term for the animal used in the Passover sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-5), which prefigures the sacrificial work of Christ, the 'Lamb of God.' Its use in substitutionary rituals, such as the redemption of a firstborn donkey (Exodus 13:13) and in laws of restitution (Exodus 22:1), underscores themes of atonement, redemption, and justice. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these foundational texts by highlighting the specific, often sacrificial, role of this flock animal in God's covenant relationship with Israel.

In ancient Israelite culture, a שׁה represented a fundamental unit of wealth and sustenance. Unlike modern distinctions, the term broadly covered both sheep and goats, which were the primary small livestock. These animals provided wool, milk, meat, and were essential for religious sacrifices. Their value made them a common measure in economic transactions and legal penalties, reflecting their central role in a pastoral-agrarian society.

צאן (H6629, ṣō'n) — A more general collective term for 'flock' (sheep and goats together). כבשׁ (H3532, kebeš) — Typically specifies a 'lamb' or young sheep, often for sacrifice. עז (H5795, 'ēz) — Specifically a 'goat' or 'she-goat.' טלה (H2924, ṭāleh) — A young lamb or kid, emphasizing youth.

Word Details

Scripture References