Lexical Summary shaphath: put, establish, lay Original Word: שָׁפַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring, ordain, set on A primitive root; to locate, i.e. (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce -- bring, ordain, set on. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition to set (on the fire) NASB Translation establish (1), lay (1), put (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁפַת] verb denominative set (on the fire) (Late Hebrew; see √; Sabean שפת=bestow SabDenkmNo. 8, 1. 15); — Qal: 1. Imperative masculine singular שְׁפֹת הַסִּיר 2 Kings 4:38 set on the pot, so Ezekiel 24:3, compare Ezekiel 24:3 (strike out Co, not Krae; Toy allows); later more Generally (subject ׳י): Imperfect2masculine singular suffix תִּשְׁמְּתֵנִי Psalm 22:16 in the dust of death thou settest me. 2 ordain, establish, 2 masculine singular תִּשְׁמֹּת שָׁלוֺם לָ֑נוּ Isaiah 26:12. Topical Lexicon Scope of Usage The root appears five times, always describing a deliberate act of placing, setting, or establishing. Whether it is a pot positioned over fire (2 Kings 4:38; Ezekiel 24:3), a person laid in dust (Psalm 22:15), or peace made firm for Judah (Isaiah 26:12), the common idea is intentional placement with a purpose. Everyday Life Illustration 2 Kings 4:38 records Elisha instructing, “Put on the large pot and cook stew for the sons of the prophets.” The word evokes a domestic scene in which a vessel is set securely over heat so that what is inside may be transformed and made useful. That ordinary kitchen picture grounds the term in Israel’s agrarian reality and becomes a springboard for spiritual parallels. Prophetic Symbolism In Ezekiel 24:3 the Lord commands, “Put on the pot; put it on, and also pour water into it.” The doubled use underlines the certainty of coming judgment upon Jerusalem. The city, like meat in a cauldron, will be exposed to consuming fire. The verb underscores that God Himself sets the process in motion; human rebellion merely supplies the contents. Personal Lament and Messianic Echo Psalm 22:15, a psalm ultimately fulfilled in Christ, cries, “You lay me in the dust of death.” The same verb that placed a cooking pot now portrays God allowing the Suffering Servant to be lowered into mortal anguish. The intentionality of the action safeguards the truth that the passion of Jesus was no accident; it unfolded under the Father’s determined plan (Acts 2:23). Divine Governance and Peace Isaiah 26:12 offers the comforting counterpart: “O LORD, You will establish peace for us. All that we have accomplished You have done for us.” Here the root speaks of God anchoring shalom for His people. The peace is not self-generated; it is something Yahweh settles in place just as surely as a pot is set on a hearth. Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Initiative – In every occurrence the subject is either God or a prophet acting on God’s behalf. Scripture presents the Lord as the One who initiates judgment, provision, suffering, and peace. Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care: When counseling those facing hardship, point to Psalm 22:15 and Isaiah 26:12. The same Lord who allows valleys also fixes peace. Assure counselees that their circumstances are not haphazard; they are set by a wise hand. Christological Reflection The verb’s movement from kitchen to cross traces the account line of redemption. The One “laid in the dust of death” (Psalm 22:15) now “establishes” peace (Isaiah 26:12) through His resurrection. Thus every appearance of the root whispers the gospel: what God sets in motion, He brings to its appointed and gracious end. Forms and Transliterations שְׁפֹ֔ת שְׁפֹ֤ת שְׁפֹת֙ שפת תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ת תשפת תשפתני׃ šə·p̄ōṯ šəp̄ōṯ sheFot tiš·pə·ṯê·nî tiš·pōṯ tishpeTeni tishPot tišpəṯênî tišpōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 4:38 HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְנַעֲר֗וֹ שְׁפֹת֙ הַסִּ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה NAS: to his servant, Put on the large KJV: unto his servant, Set on the great INT: said to his servant Put pot the large Psalm 22:15 Isaiah 26:12 Ezekiel 24:3 Ezekiel 24:3 5 Occurrences |
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