שׁוּחָה
a chasm
Definition
The Hebrew noun שׁוּחָה (shûwchâh) refers to a deep, dangerous pit or chasm, often used metaphorically to describe a place of calamity or judgment. Its primary sense is a literal pit or ditch, as seen in Jeremiah 18:22, where it describes a trap for the prophet's enemies. In Proverbs 22:14 and 23:27, it is used figuratively for the seductive and destructive consequences of adultery, portraying it as a deep, inescapable ruin. In Jeremiah 2:6, it describes the perilous, waterless desert wilderness, emphasizing a place of desolation and danger.
Biblical Usage
This word appears five times in the Old Testament, exclusively in the Wisdom and Prophetic books (Proverbs and Jeremiah). In Proverbs, it is used metaphorically for the disastrous end of sexual immorality (Proverbs 22:14, 23:27). In Jeremiah, it describes both a literal pit as a trap (Jeremiah 18:20, 18:22) and the metaphorical desolation of the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:6). The usage consistently conveys a sense of deep, treacherous danger, whether physical or spiritual.
Etymology
Derived from the root שׁוּחַ (shûach, H7743), meaning 'to sink down' or 'bow down.' This root conveys the action of descending or being lowered, which directly informs the noun's meaning of a sunken place—a pit, ditch, or chasm. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to pits or wells.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays the consequences of sin and divine judgment. In Proverbs, the 'pit' of adultery serves as a stark warning about the self-destructive nature of folly, contrasting with the path of wisdom. In Jeremiah, it illustrates the traps set by the wicked and the desolation that comes from abandoning God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by emphasizing that sin and judgment are not merely abstract concepts but are like falling into a deep, inescapable chasm.
In ancient Israel, pits and cisterns were common features of the landscape, used for water storage, trapping animals, or as prisons (e.g., Jeremiah 38:6). A שׁוּחָה specifically implied a deep, often dry or muddy pit from which escape was difficult. This tangible reality made it a powerful metaphor for disaster, captivity, or death, a concept more immediate to an ancient audience than to many modern readers.
בּוֹר (bôr, H953) — a general term for pit, cistern, or well, often used for water storage or as a dungeon. שַׁחַת (shachath, H7845) — a pit or corruption, often implying destruction or the grave. בְּאֵר (be'êr, H875) — a well, specifically a dug well for water, usually a positive source.
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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