סָחִישׁ (sha.chis)
sha.chis
offspring
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sâchîsh refers to grain that sprouts on its own, often called volunteer grain or self-sown corn. It describes crops that grow in a field without being intentionally replanted by the farmer, appearing naturally after the initial harvest.
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 19:30 and Isaiah 37:31. In these passages, it serves as a powerful image of unexpected survival and divine provision. The prophecy promises that remnants of Judah will take root and bear fruit through this spontaneous growth, signaling restoration without human agricultural effort.
The etymology suggests a connection to shooting up or sprouting, emphasizing the natural, unforced nature of the plant’s life cycle. By using sâchîsh, the biblical text highlights God’s ability to sustain His people even when traditional means of sustenance are absent, turning a simple agricultural term into a symbol of miraculous resilience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sâchîsh describes grain that grows on its own, without being planted by human hands. It refers to volunteer crops that sprout naturally after a harvest. This simple agricultural detail carries a profound message about God’s ability to provide in unexpected ways.
When resources seem scarce or plans fall apart, this image reminds us that life can continue through divine sustenance rather than our own efforts. The promise attached to this word offers hope for restoration and survival even when traditional means of production are unavailable. It suggests that growth often happens where we least expect it.
This concept invites trust in God’s provision during difficult seasons. When circumstances appear barren, there is still potential for renewal and fruitfulness. The spontaneous nature of this grain reflects a faith that looks beyond visible evidence to the unseen work of God in sustaining His people through miraculous resilience and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- self-seeded plant[s]2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁחִ֑יס1×
- סָחִ֑ישׁ1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 19:29
“This will be the sign to you: This year, you will eat that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from that; and in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
This verse uses sâchîsh as a tangible sign of survival during siege, showing how God sustains His people without their agricultural labor.
-
Isaiah 37:30
“‘This shall be the sign to you: You will eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from it; and in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
Here the same word reinforces the promise that Judah’s remnant will thrive through spontaneous growth, demonstrating divine intervention in history.