שָׁאט
one contemning
Definition
The Hebrew noun שָׁאט (shâʼṭ) refers to 'one who despises' or 'a despiser.' It describes a person who holds others in contempt, viewing them with scorn and disdain. In Ezekiel 16:57, it is used for those who despise Judah, highlighting a relationship of hostility and rejection. In Ezekiel 28:24 and 28:26, the term refers to nations that are contemptuous and oppressive toward Israel, emphasizing their arrogant and harmful attitude.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the book of Ezekiel, specifically in prophecies about judgment and restoration. It is used in contexts where foreign nations or neighbors exhibit contempt and hostility toward Israel. For example, in Ezekiel 28:24, the 'despisers' are surrounding nations that have caused grief to Israel, and in Ezekiel 28:26, the prophecy looks forward to a time when Israel will dwell securely without such contemptuous neighbors. The usage consistently portrays a dynamic of enmity and scorn from outsiders.
Etymology
The noun שָׁאט (shâʼṭ) is derived from the root שׂוּט (śûṭ, H7750), which means 'to detest' or 'to treat with contempt.' It is related to the verb שָׁאַט (shāʼaṭ, H7589), also meaning 'to despise.' The development from the root involves a shift to a participial or agent noun form, focusing on the person who performs the action of despising.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the theme of hostility against God's people and the resulting divine judgment. In Ezekiel, the 'despisers' represent nations that oppose Israel, often as instruments of God's discipline or as objects of His wrath. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Ezekiel's prophecies by emphasizing the seriousness of contempt toward God's chosen nation and the assurance that God will ultimately vindicate His people and remove such scorn (Ezekiel 28:26).
In the ancient Near Eastern context, contempt between nations often involved not just political rivalry but also social and religious disdain. Despising another people could include mocking their customs, gods, or vulnerabilities. For Israel, being surrounded by 'despisers' (Ezekiel 28:24) was a source of shame and insecurity, reflecting a culture where honor and shame were central to international relations.
בָּזָה (bāzâ, H959) — a more general term for 'to despise' or 'hold in contempt,' often used for scorn toward people, God, or things. שָׁאַט (shāʼaṭ, H7589) — the verb form meaning 'to despise,' closely related in meaning and root. נָאַץ (nāʼaṣ, H5006) — 'to spurn' or 'treat with defiance,' often used in contexts of rejecting God or His words.
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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