שְׁאָגָה (she.a.gah)
she.a.gah
roaring
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun sha’agah describes a deep, guttural roar, most commonly associated with the sound of a lion. In the Hebrew Bible, this word captures the raw power and authority inherent in such a cry, serving as a vivid auditory image for both natural beasts and human figures.
Its usage extends beyond zoology to describe the distress cries of the wicked or the lamentations of those in deep trouble. For instance, Psalm 22:13 uses sha’agah to depict enemies opening their mouths wide like roaring lions, while Job 4:10 applies it to the voice of a lion’s roar, emphasizing the terror associated with such sound.
Translators typically render sha’agah as "roar" or "roaring," preserving the visceral impact of the original Hebrew. This choice maintains the word’s dual capacity to convey both majestic power and menacing threat, depending on whether the subject is a predator or a person in anguish.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sha’agah describes a deep, guttural roar, most often linked to the sound of a lion. In Scripture, this image captures raw power and authority, serving as a vivid auditory symbol for both natural beasts and human figures. It conveys visceral impact, whether depicting majestic strength or menacing threat.
While this word frequently appears in contexts of danger or judgment, it also highlights the overwhelming nature of distress. When enemies are compared to roaring lions, the text emphasizes their fierce intensity. Similarly, when used for lamentation, it reflects a cry so profound it shakes the foundations of one’s being. Understanding this raw expression helps us grasp the depth of emotion biblical writers sought to convey.
For your faith, sha’agah reminds us that God is sovereign over even the most terrifying forces. Whether facing external threats or internal anguish, the Bible acknowledges the reality of fear and pain without minimizing them. It invites us to bring our loudest cries before Him, knowing He hears the deepest groans of the heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] roaring of2×
- roaring1×
- in/ cry of distress/ my1×
- cries of distress/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁאֲגַ֣ת2×
- שַׁאֲגֹתָֽ/י\׃1×
- שְׁאָגָ֥ה1×
- בְּ֝/שַׁאֲגָתִ֗/י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 4:10
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
This verse contrasts the broken teeth of young lions with their roaring, suggesting that even the most terrifying power is subject to God's judgment.
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Isaiah 5:29
Their roaring will be like a lioness. They will roar like young lions. Yes, they shall roar, and seize their prey and carry it off, and there will be no one to deliver.
Here, sha’agah depicts the fierce energy of invading armies, comparing their predatory aggression to a lioness seizing prey to illustrate inevitable judgment.
-
Zechariah 11:3
A voice of the wailing of the shepherds! For their glory is destroyed—a voice of the roaring of young lions! For the pride of the Jordan is ruined.
The word links the destruction of the shepherds' glory with the roaring of young lions, using the sound to symbolize the collapse of leadership and security in Judah.