8351. sheth

Lexical Summary

sheth: buttocks, hips

Original Word: שֵׁת
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: sheth
Pronunciation: shayth
Phonetic Spelling: (shayth)
KJV: Sheth
NASB: buttocks, hips
Word Origin: [(Numbers from H7582 (שָׁאָה - devastated)]

1. tumult

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Sheth

Numbers from sha'ah; tumult -- Sheth.

see HEBREW sha'ah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
seat (of the body), buttocks
NASB Translation
buttocks (1), hips (1).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

Numbers 24:17 is the sole appearance of שֵׁת (Sheth) in the Hebrew canon: “I behold Him, but not now; I perceive Him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth.” (Berean Standard Bible). The term stands at the climax of Balaam’s fourth oracle, a far-reaching prophecy delivered on the plains of Moab just before Israel entered the land.

Historical and Genealogical Context

1. The spelling שֵׁת matches that of Adam’s third son, Seth, whose line replaced Abel as the godly seed (Genesis 4:25–26). Jewish tradition therefore links “children of Sheth” with the totality of mankind descended from Seth, that is, the whole human race (Genesis 5:1–8).
2. Ancient translators recognized another nuance: the consonants of שֵׁת correspond to the Hebrew root for “tumult” or “disorder.” Consequently several versions (for example Septuagint, Vulgate) render the phrase “all the sons of tumult,” viewing it as a collective description of hostile nations.

Both ideas converge: whether the verse points to a literal people group or a poetic designation for rebels, it anticipates a universal conquest that extends beyond Moab.

Interpretive Considerations

• Textual Witnesses: The Masoretic Text preserves the consonants שֵׁת. The Septuagint chooses ὑἱοὺς Σήθ (sons of Seth) in some manuscripts and ὑἱοὺς ἀνθρώπων (sons of men) in others, showing early uncertainty but consistent recognition of a sweeping scope.
• Parallelism: “Moab” in the first colon represents a specific enemy; “children of Sheth” in the second colon expands the horizon, moving from regional to universal. Hebrew poetry frequently uses such escalating parallelism (cf. Psalm 8:4–9).
• Messianic Trajectory: The star and scepter recall Genesis 49:10 and find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the risen “Root of David” (Revelation 22:16). His kingdom crushes every adversary, a theme Paul cites in 1 Corinthians 15:24–25.

Prophetic and Theological Significance

1. Universal Dominion of the Messiah
• Balaam’s oracle stands among the earliest canonical affirmations that Israel’s anointed ruler will exercise authority over all humanity, not Israel only.
• The New Testament recognizes Numbers 24:17 as preparatory to the global Gospel mandate (Matthew 28:18–20).

2. Judgment and Salvation
• “Destroy all the children of Sheth” depicts decisive judgment on persistent rebellion (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 19:15).
• Yet judgment clears the ground for the blessing promised to “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3). Seth’s line, marked by worship of the LORD (Genesis 4:26), is ultimately rescued through the same Messiah who judges evil.

3. Continuity of the Redemptive Line
• By echoing Seth, Balaam underscores that God’s redemptive program, initiated in Eden (Genesis 3:15), remains intact.
• The entire human race, though fallen, is targeted by divine redemption through the Seed of the woman, prefigured in Seth and realized in Christ (Luke 3:23–38 traces the genealogy accordingly).

Ministry Application

• Evangelism: The verse motivates global mission. If Messiah’s scepter reaches “all the children of Sheth,” believers proclaim His reign to every nation without partiality (Acts 1:8).
• Confidence in Christ’s Victory: Pastoral ministry draws assurance from the certainty that Christ will subdue every foe, visible or invisible (Ephesians 1:20–22). Suffering saints therefore persevere, knowing their King’s triumph is predetermined (2 Timothy 2:12).
• Worship Perspective: Congregational worship can incorporate Balaam’s star imagery to celebrate Christ’s advent and kingship during Advent or Epiphany seasons (Matthew 2:1–12).

Related Themes and References

Genesis 4:25–26; Genesis 49:10; Psalm 2:1–12; Psalm 72:8–11; Isaiah 11:1–10; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 28:18; Luke 1:32–33; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:11–16; Revelation 22:16.

Summary

שֵׁת functions as a prophetic shorthand for humanity in rebellion, set within a oracle that magnifies the coming Messiah who will both judge and bless the nations. Its single appearance in Numbers 24:17 anchors the promise of a universal kingdom, reinforcing the Bible’s unified storyline from Seth to the Savior.

Forms and Transliterations

שֵֽׁת׃ שת׃ šêṯ Shet

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 24:17
HEB: כָּל־ בְּנֵי־ שֵֽׁת׃
INT: all the sons Sheth

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8351
1 Occurrence

šêṯ — 1 Occ.