Shigionoth
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Definition and Etymology:
Shigionoth is a term found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Habakkuk. The word is of uncertain origin and meaning, but it is generally understood to refer to a type of musical or poetic expression. The term is singularly mentioned in Habakkuk 3:1, "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth" . The plural form, "Shiggaion," appears in the title of Psalm 7, "A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite" .

Contextual Usage:
In the context of Habakkuk 3, Shigionoth is associated with a prayer or a psalm that is characterized by a passionate and emotional outpouring. The chapter is a poetic and prophetic prayer that reflects Habakkuk's deep emotional response to God's revelation of impending judgment and eventual deliverance. The use of Shigionoth suggests a musical or liturgical setting, indicating that the prayer was intended to be sung or chanted with a particular style or rhythm.

Musical and Liturgical Implications:
The exact musical implications of Shigionoth are not definitively known, but it is often thought to denote a form of music that is wild, erratic, or with a rapid tempo. This aligns with the emotional intensity and fervor found in both Habakkuk 3 and Psalm 7. The term may imply a form of worship that is expressive and unrestrained, allowing for a full range of human emotion in response to divine interaction.

Theological Significance:
Theologically, the use of Shigionoth in Habakkuk underscores the prophet's deep trust in God amidst impending judgment. Habakkuk 3 is a profound expression of faith, as the prophet acknowledges God's past deeds and expresses hope for future deliverance. The passionate nature of Shigionoth reflects the intensity of Habakkuk's faith and his reliance on God's sovereignty and justice.

Comparative Analysis:
While Shigionoth is unique to Habakkuk 3, its plural form, Shiggaion, in Psalm 7, provides a comparative framework for understanding its use. In Psalm 7, David expresses a plea for deliverance from his enemies, showcasing a similar emotional intensity and reliance on God's righteousness. Both instances highlight the use of Shigionoth/Shiggaion as a vehicle for conveying deep emotional and spiritual truths through music and poetry.

Conclusion:
The term Shigionoth, though enigmatic, plays a significant role in the biblical text by highlighting the emotional and spiritual depth of prophetic and psalmic literature. Its use in Habakkuk 3 and Psalm 7 invites readers to engage with the text not only intellectually but also emotionally, recognizing the power of music and poetry in expressing the complexities of faith and divine-human interaction.
Strong's Hebrew
7692. Shiggayon -- perhaps a wild passionate song with rapid ...
... a wild passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm. Transliteration: Shiggayon
or Shiggayonah Phonetic Spelling: (shig-gaw-yone') Short Definition: Shigionoth. ...
/hebrew/7692.htm - 6k
Library

Book I.
... Half-prophets. Habakkuk iii.1. Vulgate. A prayer "for sins of ignorance" ("upon
Shigionoth"), supposed to be in recognition of over-boldness in i.2-4. Ezek. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

Thesaurus
Shigionoth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shigionoth (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk
the prophet upon Shigionoth. (KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV). ...
/s/shigionoth.htm - 6k

Shiggaion (2 Occurrences)
... From the verb shagah, "to reel about through drink," occurs in the title of Psalm
7. The plural form, shigionoth, is found in Habakkuk 3:1. The word denotes a ...
/s/shiggaion.htm - 8k

Shigion'oth (1 Occurrence)
Shigion'oth. Shigionoth, Shigion'oth. Shihon . ... Shigion'oth (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk
3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, put to Shigionoth. (See RSV). ...
/s/shigion'oth.htm - 6k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, upon Shigionoth," while the subscription is musical,
"For the Chief Musician, on my stringed instruments." The poem of ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Anem (1 Occurrence)

/a/anem.htm - 101k

Resources
What is the meaning of shigionoth in Habakkuk? | GotQuestions.org

What is a michtam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does selah mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Shigionoth (1 Occurrence)

Habakkuk 3:1
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Shigionoth

Related Terms

Shihon (1 Occurrence)

Shigionoth (1 Occurrence)

Shiggaion: General Scriptures Concerning
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