שְׁחוּת (she.chut)
she.chut
pit
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shechut refers specifically to a pit, a deep hole dug into the ground. It appears only once in the Bible, in Proverbs 28:10, where it serves as a concrete image for danger and ruin.
In this single usage, the word describes the fate of those who lead the upright astray. The text suggests that such deceivers will fall into their own trap, landing in the very pit they dug for others. This creates a vivid picture of poetic justice, where the instrument of harm becomes the location of one's own downfall.
The rarity of the word highlights its power as a metaphor. By choosing a specific term for a dug-out hole rather than a general word for destruction, the author emphasizes the deliberate nature of the trap. The pit is not an accident; it is a prepared place of death, making the warning against leading others into sin all the more urgent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shechut describes a pit dug deep into the ground. It appears only once in Scripture, in Proverbs 28:10. This rare term paints a clear picture of danger and ruin. The verse warns that those who lead good people astray will fall into their own trap.
This image reminds us that harmful actions often return to harm the doer. It is a sobering thought, but it also offers comfort. We can trust that God sees injustice and that truth will prevail. When we walk in integrity, we are protected from such traps.
May you find peace in knowing that your upright heart is safe. Let this verse encourage you to stay on the path of righteousness, trusting that good things await those who blameless walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ own pit/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּ/שְׁחוּת֥/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 28:10
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
This occurrence uses shechut to depict the specific fate of deceivers, showing they will fall into the very trap they set for others.