שְׂאֵת (se.et)
se.et
elevation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun se’et denotes elevation or exaltation, often carrying a sense of dignity or loftiness. In Genesis 40:13, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream by saying the cupbearer will be restored to his "elevation," meaning he will return to his high position and status. The word captures the physical act of rising up as well as the social standing that comes with it.
It can also describe swelling, particularly in a negative context. In Leviticus 10:17, Moses questions why the guilt offering was not eaten, noting that its blood was not brought into the Holy Place, which implies a failure to properly handle the sacred matter, potentially leading to a "swelling" or consequence of pride or negligence. The term thus bridges the idea of rising up in honor and the physical swelling that can result from improper conduct.
Translators often render se’et as "dignity" or "exaltation," depending on whether the context emphasizes social rank or physical state. Its usage in Job highlights the fleeting nature of such elevation, reminding readers that human status is temporary and subject to divine will.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word se’et describes a state of being lifted up, whether that refers to physical swelling or a rise in social standing. In Genesis 49:3, Jacob uses it to describe Reuben’s initial dignity and power as the firstborn. This usage reminds us that honor and status are often seen as gifts of elevation, reflecting a position of respect within a family or community.
Yet this concept carries a warning in other contexts. In Genesis 4:7, God asks if what is lifted up will remain so, hinting that pride can distort true dignity. The word also appears in Leviticus to describe physical swelling, linking external signs with internal conditions. This duality teaches us that our standing before others and before God requires humility. We are called to hold our positions lightly, remembering that true worth comes from faithfulness, not just rank.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a swelling3×
- majesty/ his1×
- lifting up1×
- dignity1×
- and/ to <the>/ swelling1×
- and/ from/ majesty/ his1×
- and/ dignity/ its1×
- [the] swelling of1×
- [is] in the/ swelling1×
- [is] [the] swelling of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂאֵת\־2×
- שְׂאֵ֥ת1×
- שְׂאֵ֤ת1×
- שְׂאֵ֣ת1×
- שְׂאֵ֖ת1×
- שְׂאֵ֔ת1×
- שְׂ֭אֵת/וֹ1×
- וּ֝/מִ/שְּׂאֵת֗/וֹ1×
- וּ/שְׂאֵת֖/וֹ1×
- וְ/לַ/שְׂאֵ֥ת1×
- בַּ/שְׂאֵֽת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:3
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
This verse uses the word to define Reuben's inherited dignity and power as the firstborn son.
-
Genesis 4:7
If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”
Here the concept of being lifted up is linked to moral choice, suggesting that elevation without righteousness is unstable.
-
Leviticus 13:28
If the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn’t spread in the skin, but is faded, it is the swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.
The term describes a specific physical swelling from a burn, showing its use in diagnosing bodily conditions.