שֵׂט
a departure from right, i.e. sin
Definition
The Hebrew noun שֵׂט (sêṭ) refers to a deliberate turning aside or departure from the right path, specifically in a moral or covenantal sense. It denotes a person who is a 'revolter' or 'apostate,' one who actively and willfully deviates from God's established ways. In its sole biblical occurrence in Hosea 5:2, it describes the deep-seated sin of Israel's leaders, portraying their rebellion not as a simple mistake but as a settled state of turning away from God. The word carries a strong connotation of intentionality and persistence in wrongdoing.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Hosea 5:2. It is employed in a prophetic context to condemn the religious and civil leaders of Israel (the 'revolters') for leading the nation into deep sin and idolatry. The usage is accusatory and judicial, highlighting the gravity of their covenantal unfaithfulness. The prophet Hosea uses this strong term to emphasize that their sin was a conscious, entrenched departure from their relationship with Yahweh.
Etymology
The noun שֵׂט (sêṭ) is derived from the root verb שׂוּט (sûṭ, H7750), which means 'to turn aside, to swerve, to deviate.' This root conveys the basic idea of a deliberate change in direction away from a prescribed course. The noun form thus signifies one who embodies this action—a deviator or apostate. The connection to the root verb underscores that the 'revolter' is actively engaged in the process of turning away.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the essence of covenantal rebellion. It moves beyond describing individual acts of sin to labeling a person's fundamental orientation as one of apostasy. In Hosea 5:2, it reveals that sin, from God's perspective, is not merely breaking rules but a relational betrayal—a willful turning of one's back on a covenant partner. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of prophetic literature by highlighting the seriousness with which God views the leadership that misguides His people.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, a 'revolter' or one who 'turns aside' was not just a private sinner but a public threat to social and religious order. For Israel, a nation defined by its covenant with Yahweh, such rebellion was tantamount to treason against their divine king. The leaders, who were meant to uphold justice and true worship, were instead leading the nation into the idolatry and social injustice that characterized the surrounding Canaanite cultures, thus breaking the very covenant that set Israel apart.
פָּשַׁע (pāšaʿ, H6588) — emphasizes rebellion or transgression against authority. חָטָא (ḥāṭāʾ, H2398) — the most common word for sin, meaning to miss the mark or err. מָעַל (māʿal, H4603) — denotes treachery or unfaithfulness, often in a covenantal context.
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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