שָׁגַע (sha.ga)
sha.ga
be mad
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha’ag, appearing in four verses across Jeremiah, II Kings, and Hosea, describes a state of madness or frenzy. Its primary form is the Pual stem, which conveys being made mad or maddened by an external force, rather than simply acting foolishly. This passive construction suggests that the loss of sanity is imposed upon the person, often as a divine judgment or consequence of spiritual unfaithfulness.
In Hosea 9:7, for instance, the prophet declares that the days of punishment have come, and Israel will know their reckoning because their iniquity is great and hatred has arisen. The text uses this term to depict the prophets and priests as being maddened by God due to their deep corruption. Similarly, in II Kings 6:31, when the king of Israel tears his clothes upon hearing Elisha’s message, he expresses a desire for God to strike Elisha, illustrating a context where madness is linked to despair or divine retribution.
The Hithpael form, found in Jeremiah 29:26, shifts the nuance slightly to "showing madness." Here, the priest Zephaniah accuses Jeremiah of pretending to be mad to avoid punishment. This usage highlights how the word could describe outward behavior that appears insane, whether genuine or feigned. The term thus captures both the internal reality of being driven to insanity and the external manifestation of such a state.
Translators typically render sha’ag as "be mad" or "show madness," reflecting its stark and unsettling nature. Unlike words for general folly, this verb carries weighty theological implications, often marking a breakdown in order caused by rebellion against God. Its rarity in Scripture underscores the seriousness of the condition it describes—a complete unraveling of mind and spirit.
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’ag describes a state of madness or frenzy, often imposed as a consequence of spiritual rebellion. In Scripture, this loss of sanity is not merely personal failure but a severe judgment where God allows the mind to unravel due to deep corruption. It serves as a stark warning about the cost of turning away from divine order.
Yet this word also highlights the seriousness of our relationship with God. When we see prophets or kings described in this light, it reminds us that truth matters deeply. The Bible does not treat madness lightly; it shows how sin can distort perception and lead to despair. This invites us to guard our hearts against pride and falsehood.
Even in these dark passages, there is hope for restoration. God’s judgment aims at correction, not destruction. We can trust that He desires clarity and peace, offering grace to those who return to Him with honest hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ mad [man]1×
- driven mad1×
- [who] is mad1×
- [is] mad1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְשֻׁגָּע֙1×
- מְשֻׁגָּ֖ע1×
- מְשֻׁגָּ֑ע1×
- הַ/מְשֻׁגָּ֥ע1×
Key Verses
-
Hosea 9:7
The days of visitation have come. The days of reckoning have come. Israel will consider the prophet to be a fool, and the man who is inspired to be insane, because of the abundance of your sins, and because your hostility is great.
This verse shows God actively maddening prophets as judgment for Israel's great sins, linking spiritual corruption directly to mental confusion.
-
Jeremiah 29:26
“Yahweh has made you priest in the place of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in Yahweh’s house, for every man who is crazy and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him in the stocks and in shackles.
Here the term describes outward behavior that appears insane, used by Zephaniah to accuse Jeremiah of feigning madness to avoid punishment.
-
II Kings 9:11
When Jehu came out to the servants of his lord and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” He said to them, “You know the man and how he talks.”
Servants call Jehu a madman upon his return, illustrating how the word could describe erratic behavior perceived by others in moments of crisis.