8241. shetseph

Lexical Summary

shetseph: Overflow, Flood, Wrath

Original Word: שֶׁצֶף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shetseph
Pronunciation: SHEH-tsef
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-tsef)
KJV: little
Word Origin: [from H7857 (שָׁטַף - overflow) (for alliteration with H7110 (קֶצֶף - Wrath))]

1. an outburst (of anger)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

little

From shataph (for alliteration with qetseph); an outburst (of anger) -- little.

see HEBREW shataph

see HEBREW qetseph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
the same as sheteph, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Imagery and Meaning

שֶׁצֶף portrays a sudden, forceful surge—like a flash flood that bursts its banks. Used of divine emotion, it communicates wrath that is intense yet momentary, distinguishing it from the ongoing hostility of enemies or the abiding anger of human hearts.

Biblical Occurrence

Isaiah 54:8: “In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving devotion I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

The verse sets שֶׁצֶף (“surge”) in deliberate contrast with “everlasting loving devotion.” The same verse that acknowledges severe discipline immediately announces enduring covenant grace, underscoring the prophetic rhythm of judgment and restoration that characterizes Isaiah 40–66.

Historical Setting

Isaiah 54 addresses Zion in the aftermath of exile. The Babylonian captivity had felt like an overwhelming torrent of divine displeasure, yet it was “for a moment.” By invoking flood imagery, the prophet alludes to the people’s sense of helplessness under imperial powers while reminding them that those forces were instruments of God’s corrective purpose, not signs of His abandonment.

Theological Significance

1. Divine wrath is real but measured. Shatsef anger is neither capricious nor permanent; it is covenantal discipline (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 30:5).
2. Mercy outlasts judgment. The single use of שֶׁצֶף intensifies Isaiah’s emphasis that God’s compassion is “everlasting” while His anger is brief. Verse 9 completes the thought by recalling the “waters of Noah,” showing that even a flood—historically the greatest act of judgment—was bounded by divine promise.
3. Foreshadowing the Gospel. The pattern of short-lived wrath followed by abiding grace anticipates the cross, where divine justice was fully expressed yet resulted in unending reconciliation (Romans 5:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Intertextual Echoes

• Flood language: Genesis 6–9; Psalm 69:1–2; Nahum 1:8.
• Momentary wrath versus lasting favor: Psalm 30:5; Lamentations 3:31–33.
• Hiding and revealing the face of God: Deuteronomy 31:17–18; Ezekiel 39:29.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Discipline and assurance. Believers facing chastening can hold to the principle that God’s corrective “surge” is brief, but His covenant love is enduring (Hebrews 12:5–11).
• Counseling those in crisis. Shatsef reminds the afflicted that present distress is not the final word; ministry should direct them to the promise of restored favor (1 Peter 5:10).
• Preaching Christ. The singular, potent image of an outburst followed by everlasting mercy is a natural entrée to proclaiming how Christ absorbs divine wrath, opening the floodgates of grace (John 3:36; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Devotional Reflection

Meditating on Isaiah 54:8 encourages believers to view seasons of divine discipline through the lens of God’s unchanging love. The Lord may allow a turbulent surge to cleanse and correct, yet He always leads His people into the calm of unending compassion.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּשֶׁ֣צֶף בשצף bə·še·ṣep̄ bəšeṣep̄ beShetzef

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 54:8
HEB: בְּשֶׁ֣צֶף קֶ֗צֶף הִסְתַּ֨רְתִּי
KJV: In a little wrath I hid
INT: A little of anger hid

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8241
1 Occurrence

bə·še·ṣep̄ — 1 Occ.