Lexical Summary shalleteth: Dominion, Authority Original Word: שַׁלֶּטֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance imperious Feminine from shalat; a vixen -- imperious. see HEBREW shalat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as shallit, q.v. Topical Lexicon Hebrew Background and Usage שַׁלֶּטֶת (shaletet) appears only once in the Old Testament, Ezekiel 16:30. It is the feminine form of a term that conveys mastery, domination, and overbearing boldness. In Ezekiel it characterizes Jerusalem as a woman whose sin is not merely harlotry but a shameless, high-handed insistence on her own way. Context in Ezekiel 16 Ezekiel 16 traces Jerusalem’s history as an adopted foundling whom the LORD raised to royal splendor, only to see her turn to idolatry and political intrigue. Verse 30 stands at the crescendo of the indictment: “How weak is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, that you do all these things, the acts of a brazen prostitute!” (Ezekiel 16:30). The prophet’s language piles up imagery—harlotry, bloodshed, child sacrifice—to expose sin in its ugliest form. By choosing the rare term shaletet, Ezekiel underscores Jerusalem’s brazen, domineering attitude: she was not seduced; she aggressively pursued corruption and pressed her influence on others. Historical Setting The oracle was delivered during Judah’s Babylonian exile (early sixth century B.C.). Politically, Jerusalem had sought to manipulate surrounding empires—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon—for security. Spiritually, the city adopted the idols of those nations. Shaletet captures both dynamics: the arrogant diplomacy of a small kingdom acting as if it controlled empires, and the spiritual audacity of a covenant people dictating to their God. Theological Significance 1. Reversal of Dominion. Humanity was created to “rule” under God (Genesis 1:28). Jerusalem perverted that mandate, using her influence to rebel rather than steward. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching on Sin’s Audacity: Shaletet warns congregations that sin is rarely passive; it seeks mastery (Genesis 4:7). Related Concepts • Root idea of dominion (shâlat) in texts such as Ecclesiastes 8:9 and Nehemiah 5:15. Summary Shaletet encapsulates the brazen, domineering spirit that drives a person—or a people—to seize control in defiance of the LORD. Its solitary appearance in Ezekiel 16:30 concentrates the word’s force, enabling the prophet to expose sin’s aggressive nature and to call God’s people back to humble covenant faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations שַׁלָּֽטֶת׃ שלטת׃ šal·lā·ṭeṯ šallāṭeṯ shalLatetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 16:30 HEB: אִשָּֽׁה־ זוֹנָ֖ה שַׁלָּֽטֶת׃ KJV: all these [things], the work of an imperious whorish INT: woman harlot of an imperious 1 Occurrence |
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