Lexical Summary shot: Whip, scourge Original Word: שׁוֹט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scourge, whip From shuwt; a lash (literally or figuratively) -- scourge, whip. see HEBREW shuwt NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shut Definition a scourge, whip NASB Translation scourge (5), whip (2), whips (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוֺט noun masculineIsaiah 28:15 scourge, whip (Late Hebrew id., so Arabic  ,  ( ) mix, stir about and beat; Ethiopic  Aramaic שׁוֺטֶא,  ; from foregoing? compare German streifen; or onomatopoetic, compare swish, switch?); — ׳שׁ absolute Isaiah 10:26 +, construct Job 5:21; plural שׁוֺטִים 1 Kings 12:11 +; — 1 scourge, for chastisement, 1 Kings 12:11,14 2Chronicles 10:11,12 (all with verb יִסַּר); figurative of national scourge (wielded by ׳י) Isaiah 10:26; Isaiah 28:15 (Qr; > Kt שׁיט), Isaiah 28:18 (both שׁוֺטֵף ׳שׁ, see שׁטף), calamity Job 9:23; lash of (accusing) tongue Job 5:21 (read ׳מִשּׁ as ᵐ5). 2 whip, for horse, ׳קוֺל שׁ Nahum 3:2 i.e. crack of whip, לַסּוּם ׳שׁ Proverbs 26:3 ("" שֵׁבֶט לְגֵו כְּסִילִים). Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun שׁוֹט occurs eleven times and denotes a whip, lash, or scourge—an implement of discipline that also becomes a vivid metaphor for calamity and divine judgment. Both literal and figurative uses cluster around three spheres: human governance, personal suffering, and the Lord’s sovereign dealings with nations. Historical and Cultural Setting In the ancient Near East a whip was a common tool for directing animals, extracting forced labor, or inflicting corporal punishment. Its crack announced authority and compelled obedience. Israel’s neighbors employed whips in military contexts, and Israel was familiar with the practice through Egyptian bondage (Exodus narratives) and later Assyrian oppression. Against this backdrop the prophets and sages could evoke instant recognition by speaking of the “scourge.” Human Authority and Abuse 1 Kings 12:11 records Rehoboam’s fateful boast: “my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” The whip here symbolizes excessive royal coercion, and its misuse fractures the kingdom. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 10 confirms that oppressive rule provokes covenantal rupture. Proverbs 26:3 places the whip in a wisdom setting: “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!” Discipline is commended, yet balanced—horses need guidance, fools need correction. Scripture therefore distinguishes legitimate chastening from tyrannical severity. Personal Suffering and the Tongue’s Lash In Job, שׁוֹט migrates from the leather strap to the unseen realm of words and calamities. Job 5:21 promises, “You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,” acknowledging verbal cruelty as a real and wounding force. Job 9:23 broadens the image: “If the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.” Here the lash becomes sudden disaster, raising the perplexity of undeserved suffering. The metaphor validates pain yet ultimately drives the sufferer to the character of God for answers. Divine Judgment upon Nations Isaiah employs the whip to portray Assyrian aggression but also God’s mastery over that aggression. “The LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against him” (Isaiah 10:26), reminding Judah that the rod that chastises them is itself under divine control. In Isaiah 28:15–18 the leaders trust alliances with death, yet the prophet warns of “the overwhelming scourge”—an unstoppable flood of judgment that nullifies every human refuge. Nahum 3:2 intensifies the scene: “The crack of the whip, the rumble of wheels,” announcing Nineveh’s downfall. Thus the whip becomes an auditory sign of approaching wrath, ensuring that no empire escapes the Lord’s courtroom. Theological Themes 1. Divine sovereignty: Whether in royal policy, individual trial, or international warfare, the whip never escapes God’s hand. Even oppressive rulers serve larger covenant purposes. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Discipline must reflect God’s character—firm yet righteous. Leaders are cautioned by Rehoboam’s failure not to provoke rebellion through harshness. Christological Reflections Although שׁוֹט appears only in the Old Testament, its imagery anticipates the Servant who “was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53). The Roman scourging of Jesus turns the whip into the climax of unjust authority and the avenue of atoning grace. Thus the word prepares a theological vocabulary for understanding the Passion: the righteous sufferer bears the ultimate scourge so that all who trust in Him might be sheltered “from the scourge of the tongue” and from the eternal judgment the whip signifies. Summary שׁוֹט weaves through Scripture as a tangible tool and a powerful metaphor. Its crack resounds in royal courts, wisdom sayings, laments, and prophetic oracles, always reminding the reader that discipline—whether human or divine—must serve justice, humility, and ultimately the saving purposes of God. Forms and Transliterations בְּשׁ֣וֹט בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים בשוט בשוטים וט שׁ֔וֹט שׁ֣וֹט שׁ֤וֹט שׁ֭וֹט שׁוֹטֵ֤ף שוט שוטף baš·šō·w·ṭîm bashshoTim baššōwṭîm bə·šō·wṭ beShot bəšōwṭ Shot shoTef šō·w·ṭêp̄ šō·wṭ šōwṭ šōwṭêp̄ vt wṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 12:11 HEB: יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֕י אֲיַסֵּ֥ר NAS: disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline KJV: hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise INT: my father disciplined whips I will discipline 1 Kings 12:14 2 Chronicles 10:11 2 Chronicles 10:14 Job 5:21 Job 9:23 Proverbs 26:3 Isaiah 10:26 Isaiah 28:15 Isaiah 28:18 Nahum 3:2 11 Occurrences |
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