שֶׂה (seh)
seh
sheep
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun seh refers to a member of a flock, specifically a sheep or goat. It is a general term for these small livestock animals, appearing frequently in the Torah where it designates the creatures used for food, clothing, and sacrifice. The word encompasses both adult animals and young ones, serving as the standard vocabulary for this category of wealth and sustenance in ancient Israel.
Its meaning becomes precise through context, particularly in legal texts that distinguish between species. For instance, Deuteronomy 14:4 lists "sheep and goats" separately to clarify dietary laws, showing that seh can mean either depending on the modifier. In Exodus 12:3-5, the same word describes the animal chosen for the Passover meal, highlighting its role as a substitute in ritual worship.
The term carries significant theological weight in sacrificial contexts. It is the primary word for the lambs offered daily in the temple and for the specific animals required for purification rites. This usage establishes a concrete image of substitutionary atonement, where an innocent animal takes the place of the person offering it, a concept that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word seh refers to a sheep or goat, small livestock that provided essential food, clothing, and warmth in ancient Israel. For the original audience, this was not just an animal but a source of daily survival and economic stability. When Scripture mentions these creatures, it often points to their vulnerability and dependence on a shepherd for protection from predators and harsh weather.
In the biblical narrative, this term carries deep theological weight regarding sacrifice and substitution. The Passover lamb in Exodus 12 required an unblemished animal to take the place of the firstborn, establishing a pattern where an innocent life covers guilt. This imagery helps us understand the seriousness of sin and the cost of redemption, showing how God provided a way for His people to be spared through a substitute.
Jesus later draws on this familiar image when calling Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Recognizing seh as a symbol of both provision and atonement invites us to trust in Christ’s care. He knows our weaknesses and has secured our safety through His own sacrifice, offering peace and hope to all who follow Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a sheep6×
- sheep4×
- and/ a sheep4×
- a lamb3×
- with/ a sheep2×
- sheep/ his2×
- and/ sheep2×
- the/ sheep1×
- the/ lamb1×
- like/ a sheep1×
- like <the>/ sheep1×
- for/ a lamb1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׂ֥ה3×
- שֶׂה֒2×
- שֶׂ֔ה2×
- שֶׂ֑ה2×
- וָ/שֶׂ֖ה2×
- בְ/שֶׂ֔ה2×
- שֶׂה\־1×
- שֶֽׂה\׃\ \פ1×
- שֶׂ֧ה1×
- שֶׂ֣ה\׀1×
- שֶׂ֖ה1×
- שֵׂי/וֹ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
This verse specifies that the Passover lamb must be without defect, highlighting the requirement for a pure substitute in ritual worship.
-
Genesis 22:8
Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together.
Abraham’s declaration that God will provide the lamb reveals the foundational belief that God Himself supplies the means for atonement.
-
Leviticus 5:7
“‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to Yahweh; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
This passage allows those who cannot afford a sheep to offer birds instead, demonstrating God’s grace toward economic hardship in matters of sin offering.
-
I Samuel 17:34
David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
David mentions protecting the flock from lions, connecting the care of sheep with the courage and vigilance required of a leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word seh mean?
Is seh different from other words for sheep?
Why are sheep important in the Old Testament?
Every Occurrence (31 verses across 11 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and…
Genesis 22:8Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together.
Genesis 30:32I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among…