7750. sut

Lexical Summary

sut: To incite, to provoke, to entice

Original Word: שׂוּט
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: suwt
Pronunciation: soot
Phonetic Spelling: (soot)
KJV: turn aside to
NASB: lapse
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to detrude, i.e. (intransitively and figuratively) become derelict (wrongly practise
2. namely, idolatry)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

turn aside to

Or (by permutation) cuwt {soot}; a primitive root; to detrude, i.e. (intransitively and figuratively) become derelict (wrongly practise; namely, idolatry) -- turn aside to.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to swerve, fall away
NASB Translation
lapse (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[שׂוּט] verb swerve, fall away (akin to שָׂטָה q. v.; Late Hebrew סוּט Hiph`il is shake, move away; Assyrian šâ‰u, rebel, Meissn⁹⁰; Ethiopic : bring back, restore; in ᵑ9 apostatize is סְטָא); —

Qal Participle plural construct וֶשָׂטֵי כָזָב Psalm 40:5 those falling away to falsehood (Gunk^{Schöpf. 40} וְשָׂטָה).

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Semantic Range

The verb conveys the idea of swerving from a course, roaming off track, or veering into deception. It pictures an intentional or careless deviation from the straight path of covenant faithfulness—whether in thought, allegiance, or conduct.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Psalm 40:4 – “Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.”
• Psalm 101:3 – “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”

Contextual Insights

1. Both contexts treat turning aside as a moral, not merely directional, action. The “proud” and “falsehood” (Psalm 40) and the “worthless thing” (Psalm 101) highlight that deviation is linked to idolatry, arrogance, and lies.
2. In each psalm the righteous resolve not merely to avoid evil but to refuse fellowship with those who practice it. The term therefore underlines separation from corrupt influences.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near-Eastern trade routes and military roads supplied a vivid metaphor: a traveler who leaves the highway risks danger, robbery, or being lost. Israel’s sages adapted this imagery for spiritual instruction, portraying Torah as a straight road and apostasy as wandering off it (compare Proverbs 4:14-19). In royal courts, political intrigue and flattery tempted leaders to “turn aside” from just administration; the psalmists, both associated with kingship, denounce such courtly pressures.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Loyalty: Deviation is the antithesis of “steadfast love and faithfulness.” The verb thus exposes sin as relational betrayal rather than abstract error.
2. Spiritual Integrity: The righteous man’s blessing (Psalm 40) rests on exclusive trust in the LORD. Any inclination toward prideful alliances or lying counsel constitutes a practical denial of that trust.
3. Holiness of Worship: Psalm 101 frames a royal commitment to a pure household and kingdom. Turning aside defiles both personal piety and communal worship, illustrating that holiness involves active rejection of corrupt works.

Application for Ministry

• Pastoral Counseling: The term warns believers against subtle drift—companionships, media, or ambitions that lure the heart away from single-minded devotion.
• Discipleship: Teach habits of vigilance—Scripture meditation, accountable relationships, and disciplined focus—to prevent spiritual wandering.
• Leadership: Church leaders, like the psalmist-king, must model refusal of “worthless things,” setting a tone of integrity that protects the flock.

Related Concepts

Straight paths (Proverbs 3:6); backsliding (Jeremiah 3:22); walking in the light (1 John 1:7); following false teachers (2 Peter 2:15).

Typological and Christological Reflection

Where believers may swerve, Jesus Christ never did (Hebrews 4:15). His unwavering obedience secures the righteousness that restores wanderers (Luke 19:10). In union with Him, the church is empowered to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and stay the course.

Forms and Transliterations

וְשָׂטֵ֥י ושטי סֵטִ֥ים סטים sê·ṭîm seTim sêṭîm vesaTei wə·śā·ṭê wəśāṭê

Englishman's Concordance

Psalm 40:4
HEB: אֶל־ רְ֝הָבִ֗ים וְשָׂטֵ֥י כָזָֽב׃
NAS: to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
KJV: not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
INT: to the proud lapse falsehood

Psalm 101:3
HEB: בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה־ סֵטִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי לֹ֖א
KJV: the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave
INT: worthless the work aside hate no

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7750
2 Occurrences

sê·ṭîm — 1 Occ.
wə·śā·ṭê — 1 Occ.