שְׁאָט
contempt
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׁאָט (shᵉʼâṭ) refers to a deep, active contempt or scorn, often expressed through malicious actions rather than just feelings. It conveys the idea of treating someone or something as utterly worthless, pushing them aside with disdain. In Ezekiel 25:6 and 25:15, it describes the malicious joy and contempt shown by the Ammonites and Philistines toward Judah during its downfall. In Ezekiel 36:5, it denotes the scornful attitude of surrounding nations toward the mountains of Israel, viewing them as a possession for plunder.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Ezekiel, specifically in prophecies against foreign nations. It appears in contexts of judgment, where God condemns nations for their hostile and scornful attitudes toward His people Israel. The usage pattern shows it describing the malicious glee and contemptuous actions of enemies (Ammon in Ezekiel 25:6, Philistia in Ezekiel 25:15, and 'the rest of the nations' in Ezekiel 36:5) when Israel is vulnerable.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to push aside' or 'to reject.' This root concept directly informs its meaning, moving beyond internal disdain to an active, dismissive rejection. It is a relatively rare word, with no direct cognates widely attested in other Semitic languages that clearly carry the same semantic force of malicious contempt.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights God's concern for the honor of His name and His people. The contempt (שְׁאָט) of the nations toward Israel is portrayed as an affront to God Himself, provoking His jealous judgment (Ezekiel 36:5-6). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing that God judges not just violent acts, but the scornful attitudes and malicious joy of the heart that accompany oppression.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a nation's defeat was often met with mockery and contempt from rivals, seen as proof of their god's weakness. שְׁאָט captures this cultural reality of taunting and malicious triumph. It differs from a modern, more passive understanding of 'contempt' by emphasizing the active, celebratory scorn that added insult to injury for a conquered people.
bûz (H0936) — a more general term for contempt or despising, often internal. qālâ (H7036) — to treat as light or insignificant, to curse. ʾêḇâ (H0342) — enmity or hostility, a broader term for hatred.
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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