Lexical Summary shesa: Fine linen Original Word: שֶׁסַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cleft, cloven-footed From shaca'; a fissure -- cleft, clovenfooted. see HEBREW shaca' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shasa Definition cleft NASB Translation hoof (1). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 8157 (שֶׁסַע, shésa‛) designates the “split” or “cleft” of an animal’s hoof. Scripture employs the term exclusively within the dietary legislation that identifies clean land animals. A properly separated hoof, joined with rumination (“chewing the cud”), marks creatures fit for Israel’s consumption, whereas deviation in either trait renders the animal unclean. Occurrences in the Law 1. Leviticus 11:3 – “You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.” Function within the Dietary Code The pairing of a fully cleft hoof with cud chewing establishes a two-fold standard of external distinction and internal process. The external feature (visible division) parallels the inner, unseen action of rumination. Together they typify wholeness and integrity—outward separation from impurity matched by inward purity of sustenance. Symbolic and Theological Significance 1. Separation unto God: The parted hoof visually portrays a marked line of division. In calling Israel to dietary discernment, the LORD impressed upon the nation the broader call to be “holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44-45). Historical and Cultural Background Pastoral life in the Ancient Near East relied heavily on animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle—each meeting the double criterion and thus freely eaten. Conversely, swine, although common among neighboring peoples, were excluded. This prohibition preserved Israel from social assimilation and from diseases then associated with pork, while reinforcing covenant identity through everyday practice. Prophetic and Apostolic Echoes Later revelation extends the underlying principle of holiness from ceremonial food laws to the moral realm. Jesus declared that uncleanness ultimately proceeds “from within” (Mark 7:20-23), and Peter’s rooftop vision (Acts 10:9-16) prepared the way for Gentile inclusion. Yet the apostolic writings still urge believers to “touch no unclean thing” in a moral sense (2 Corinthians 6:17), applying the motif of separation to purity of heart and conduct rather than to diet. Ministry Applications • Discernment: As Israel distinguished animals by hoof and cud, the church discerns teaching and lifestyle by Scripture’s two-edged standard—orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Conclusion Though the ceremonial boundaries of Leviticus have found their fulfillment in Christ, the spiritual truths signified by שֶׁסַע endure. The cleft hoof calls God’s people to visible distinction, inner devotion, and wholehearted obedience, all grounded in the unchanging character of the Holy One who gave the Law. Forms and Transliterations שֶׁ֙סַע֙ שֹׁסַ֗עַת שסע שסעת še·sa‘ šesa‘ shesa shoSaat šō·sa·‘aṯ šōsa‘aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 11:3 HEB: פַּרְסָ֗ה וְשֹׁסַ֤עַת שֶׁ֙סַע֙ פְּרָסֹ֔ת מַעֲלַ֥ת INT: A hoof making cleft hoofs chews Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:26 Deuteronomy 14:6 4 Occurrences |
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