שְׂגָא (se.ga)
se.ga
to grow great
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb se.ga means to become large or significant. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezra 4:11, where officials describe themselves as subjects of King Artaxerxes who have a responsibility to report on the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. The word conveys a sense of rising in status or magnitude, fitting the formal tone of an official petition.
This term is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew shagah (H7679), which shares the same root meaning. By using this specific vocabulary, the writers of Ezra align their language with the administrative dialect of the Persian Empire. The choice highlights how biblical authors adapted their linguistic tools to communicate effectively within the political structures of their time.
Its rarity in Scripture makes it a notable linguistic marker. While most biblical Hebrew uses shagah for greatness, this single instance of se.ga demonstrates the bilingual nature of the post-exilic period. The word serves as a reminder that the text was composed in a context where Aramaic functioned as the international language of diplomacy and record-keeping.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word se.ga appears only once in the Bible, found in Ezra 4:22. In this context, it describes how small issues can grow great if left unchecked. The Persian king warns against allowing any negligence to escalate into a serious threat to his kingdom. This single instance reminds us that our actions, no matter how small they seem today, have consequences that extend far beyond the immediate moment.
For your faith life, this word offers a gentle warning about vigilance. It suggests that integrity is maintained not just in grand gestures, but in the daily refusal to let minor compromises grow into major failures. God cares about the details of our obedience because He knows how easily small neglects can become large obstacles to His will.
When you face choices that seem insignificant, remember this verse. Your faithfulness in small things protects your heart and honors God. Trust that He sees your efforts to stay true to Him, even when no one else is watching.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will it grow great1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִשְׂגֵּ֣א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:22
Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
This verse uses the word to warn that neglecting duty can cause damage to grow great, threatening the king's peace.