Lexical Summary shasa: has the split, make a split, making a split Original Word: שָׁסַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cleave, be cloven footed, rend, stay A primitive root; to split or tear; figuratively, to upbraid -- cleave, (be) cloven ((footed)), rend, stay. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to divide, cleave NASB Translation has the split (1), make a split (1), making a split (1), making split (1), persuaded (1), tear (1), tore him as one tears (1), two (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁסַע] verb divide, cleave (Late Hebrew Pi`el tear spart; ᵑ7Jer Pa`el Lamentations 3:11 tear in pieces (for HCT מִּשֵּׁחַ)); — Qal Participle (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb שֶׁ֫סַע): masculine singular וְשֹׁסַע שֶׁסַע מַּרְסָה Leviticus 11:7 (P; on ׳שֹׁ compare LagBN 84) cleaving the cleft of the hoof, i.e. having cloven hoof, so feminine singular שֹׁסַ֫עַת Leviticus 11:3, compare Deuteronomy 14:6; שֶׁסַע אֵינֶנָּה שֹׁסַ֫עַת Leviticus 11:26 (P); passive הַמַּרְסָה הַשְּׁסוּעָה Deuteronomy 14:7. Pi`el tear in two, a lion, kid, Imperfect, Infinitive construct וַיְשַׁסְּעֵהוּ כְּשַׁסַּע הַגְּדִי Judges 14:6; a bird (by, or at, its wings), Perfect3masculine singular consecutive וְשִׁסַּע אֹתוֺ Leviticus 1:17 (P); imperfect3masculine singular (אֶתאֲֿנָשָׁיו בַּדְּבָרִים) וַיְשַׁסַּע 1 Samuel 24:8 gives too violent a meaning; probably corrupt for word = restrain, or the like Dr HPS, compare Bu Now (hesitantly). שֶׁ֫סַע noun [masculine] cleft; — as accusative of congnate meaning with verb with [ שָׁסַע], q. v.; absolute Leviticus 11:26, construct Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:6. Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning in Scripture The verb שָׁסַע (shasaʿ) consistently carries the idea of forceful division—whether of flesh, hoof, or even hostile intent. Its occurrences cluster around three primary settings: sacrificial procedure, dietary legislation, and dramatic acts of deliverance or restraint. Sacrificial Handling (Leviticus 1:17) In the burnt offering of birds, the priest “is to tear it open by the wings, without severing it completely” (Leviticus 1:17). The action conveys both thoroughness and care: the bird is split to expose the inward parts for burning, yet the body remains in a single piece. The worshiper sees visually that atonement demands exposure of the whole life to the LORD, but not reckless mutilation; true worship is wholehearted and orderly, never wantonly destructive (compare 1 Corinthians 14:40). Criteria for Clean and Unclean Animals (Leviticus 11:3, 7, 26; Deuteronomy 14:6, 7) Six of the nine uses govern dietary holiness. Animals acceptable for Israelite consumption must demonstrate both internal and external markers of purity: “You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud” (Leviticus 11:3). The parted hoof is a visible sign of separation from the earth, just as chewing the cud suggests inward cleansing. By highlighting the parted hoof, שָׁסַע teaches that holiness touches the believer’s walk—external conduct must match internal meditation on the Word (Psalm 1:2-3; James 1:22-25). Acts of Divine Empowerment and Protection (Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 24:7) Samson, an imperfect yet Spirit-anointed judge, “tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat” (Judges 14:6). The same root that describes a priest’s deliberate ritual action now depicts sudden, Spirit-energized victory over a threat. Shasaʿ thus underscores that the LORD can rend every adversary opposing His purposes (Psalm 22:13-21). Conversely, David “restrained his men” (literally, tore them apart from the act) from harming Saul (1 Samuel 24:7). The king-in-waiting employs forceful persuasion to prevent unlawful violence, illustrating that godly strength is seen not only in conquering foes but also in mastering one’s own company (Proverbs 16:32). Shasaʿ therefore becomes a picture of spiritual self-control in the service of covenant loyalty. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Worship: Proper division of sacrifice prefigures Christ’s body offered wholly yet orderly (Hebrews 10:5-10). Ministry today must handle the Word and the ordinances with the same balance—zeal without irreverence. Theological Reflection Shasaʿ embodies the gospel paradox: the same God who tears open a sacrifice to atone also tears apart a predator to deliver, and even tears men away from sin to preserve life. Ultimately, at the cross the veil was “torn in two” (Matthew 27:51), granting access to God and fulfilling every shadow cast by Levitical ritual. The believer, cleansed and empowered, is now called to a life distinctly “split” from the old nature and wholly offered to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׁסוּעָ֑ה השסועה וְשִׁסַּ֨ע וְשֶׁ֣סַע ׀ וְשֹׁסַ֤עַת וְשֹׁסַ֥ע וַֽיְשַׁסְּעֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיְשַׁסַּ֨ע וישסע וישסעהו ושסע ושסעת כְּשַׁסַּ֣ע כשסע haš·šə·sū·‘āh hashshesuAh haššəsū‘āh kə·šas·sa‘ kəšassa‘ keshasSa vayshasSa vayshasseEhu veShesa veshisSa veshoSa veshoSaat way·šas·sa‘ way·šas·sə·‘ê·hū wayšassa‘ wayšassə‘êhū wə·še·sa‘ wə·šis·sa‘ wə·šō·sa‘ wə·šō·sa·‘aṯ wəšesa‘ wəšissa‘ wəšōsa‘ wəšōsa‘aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 1:17 HEB: וְשִׁסַּ֨ע אֹת֣וֹ בִכְנָפָיו֮ NAS: Then he shall tear it by its wings, KJV: And he shall cleave it with the wings INT: shall tear wings shall not Leviticus 11:3 Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:26 Deuteronomy 14:6 Deuteronomy 14:7 Judges 14:6 Judges 14:6 1 Samuel 24:7 9 Occurrences |
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