שָׁגֶא

Shage, an Israelite

Definition

Shage is a proper noun referring to an individual named in the Bible. He is listed among King David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11:34. The name itself is likely derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'to go astray' or 'to err,' suggesting a possible meaning like 'Erring' or 'Wanderer.' As a personal name, it functions solely to identify this specific historical figure within the genealogical and military records of 1 Chronicles.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament. It appears exclusively in 1 Chronicles 11:34, within a list of King David's elite warriors known as 'the mighty men.' The context is purely historical and genealogical, serving to record the name of Shage (or Shageh, depending on textual variations) as a member of this honored group.

Etymology

The name Shage (שָׁגֶא) is likely derived from the Hebrew root שָׁגָה (shagah, H7686), which means 'to go astray,' 'to err,' or 'to wander.' It is probably a participial form, giving it a sense like 'one who errs' or 'wanderer.' This follows a common biblical pattern where personal names are formed from verbs or nouns describing character or circumstance.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or perceived character traits. A name derived from a root meaning 'to err' might seem negative, but it could also reflect a humble acknowledgment of human fallibility or perhaps commemorate a specific event. Its presence in the list of David's mighty men indicates that Shage was a warrior of renown and valor, whose personal name did not detract from his recorded legacy of loyalty and service.

Word Details

Scripture References