שָׁגַח (sha.gach)
sha.gach
to gaze
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.gach appears only three times in the Old Testament, carrying the specific meaning of gazing or staring intently. In its sole Hiphil form, it describes a focused act of looking, often with an air of curiosity or deep attention rather than casual observation.
This word surfaces in poetic contexts where visual engagement is central. In Psalm 80:14, the vineyard owner is asked to look down from heaven and see what has been done. Similarly, in Song of Solomon 6:5, the beloved is urged to turn her eyes away because they are too captivating. These instances highlight a gaze that is direct, personal, and emotionally charged.
Though rare, sha.gach underscores the power of sight in biblical literature. It is not merely seeing but attending with intention. The word invites readers to consider how divine or human attention can transform a moment into something memorable and significant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb sha.gach describes more than casual sight; it is a focused gaze that seeks to understand what lies before the eyes. When we read of this kind of looking in Scripture, we see an attention that refuses to look away from the details of life. It suggests that true understanding requires us to stop and really see the reality of a situation, whether it involves divine oversight or human interaction.
In Psalm 33:14, God is described as gazing down from heaven to observe all inhabitants of the earth. This image offers comfort, reminding us that our lives are not overlooked by a distant observer but are held within the attentive care of the Creator. His gaze is purposeful, noticing every individual with intention and care.
Similarly, the Song of Solomon uses this word to describe a lover’s intense focus. The beloved’s eyes are so captivating that they demand full attention, pulling the viewer into a moment of deep connection. This highlights how human relationships thrive when we give our partners the gift of our undivided presence and sincere interest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they will stare1×
- he looks1×
- [is] gazing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַשְׁגִּ֙יחַ֙1×
- יַשְׁגִּ֔יחוּ1×
- הִשְׁגִּ֑יחַ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 33:14
From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
This verse establishes the divine context of the word, showing God’s intentional observation of humanity from His heavenly dwelling.
-
Song of Solomon 2:9
My beloved is like a roe or a young deer. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.
Here the gaze is intimate and personal, illustrating how focused attention can reveal the presence of a beloved in our daily lives.
-
Isaiah 14:16
Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, “Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms,
The word captures the stunned, fixed stare of onlookers who are trying to comprehend the dramatic fall of a powerful ruler.