Bible Word Study
שָׁשָׁה
shâshâh · to sixth or divide into sixths
שָׁשָׁה
to sixth or divide into sixths
Definition
The verb שָׁשָׁה (shâshâh) means 'to sixth' or 'to divide into sixths.' It is a specific mathematical or proportional term used in the context of measurement and offering. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the prescribed portion of an ephah of grain that is to be given as a sacred offering. The action involves taking one-sixth of a standard unit. This precise usage underscores the detailed and orderly system of contributions outlined in the priestly law.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Ezekiel 45:13. It appears within a section detailing the restored worship and economic system for a future Israel. The context is a divine ordinance specifying the exact proportions of agricultural produce to be given as a holy offering to the prince: 'This is the offering that you shall offer: the sixth part of an ephah from a homer of wheat, and the sixth part of an ephah from a homer of barley.' The usage is purely technical and legislative.
Etymology
שָׁשָׁה is a denominative verb derived directly from the cardinal number שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8337), meaning 'six.' As a denominative, it forms a verb from a noun, meaning 'to do or make a six' or 'to treat as a sixth.' Its meaning is transparently connected to its root number and does not appear to have a broader semantic development.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a technical term, its theological significance lies in its context. In Ezekiel's vision of restoration (Ezekiel 40-48), precise measurements and offerings symbolize God's perfect order, justice, and holiness re-established among His people. Understanding this specific term highlights the meticulous care God prescribes for worship and communal life, reflecting His character and the importance of obedience in even the smallest details of giving. In ancient Israelite culture, standardized dry measures like the ephah and homer were essential for trade, taxation, and religious offerings. The command to 'sixth' a portion presupposes a society familiar with fractions and proportional giving. This precise specification prevented arbitrary or dishonest offerings and ensured a fair, uniform contribution from everyone, integral to maintaining a just and holy community as envisioned by the prophet. חָלַק (chalaq, H2505) — a general verb meaning 'to divide, share, or apportion,' used in many contexts, unlike the specific fractional meaning of שָׁשָׁה.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]