שַׁחֶ֫פֶת (sha.che.phet)
sha.che.phet
illness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shaḥepet describes a wasting disease, specifically one that affects the lungs. In the ancient world, this likely referred to what we now call tuberculosis or a severe, chronic respiratory condition. The term captures the physical reality of a body slowly consumed by illness, leaving the sufferer weak and frail.
This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the context of covenantal blessings and curses. In Leviticus 26:16 and Deuteronomy 28:22, it is listed among the severe consequences for disobeying God’s commands. Its placement alongside other devastating plagues underscores the seriousness with which the biblical text treats health as intertwined with spiritual fidelity.
Translators typically render shaḥepet as "consumption" or "wasting disease," reflecting its literal sense of something that eats away at the body. The specificity of the term highlights the tangible suffering involved, moving beyond general sickness to a particular, lingering affliction that drains vitality over time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shaḥepet describes a wasting disease that slowly consumes the body, likely what we now recognize as tuberculosis or a severe chronic respiratory condition. In the ancient world, such illnesses were terrifying because they drained vitality over time without immediate cure. The biblical text uses this specific term to highlight the tangible reality of suffering, moving beyond general sickness to describe a lingering affliction that leaves the sufferer weak and frail.
This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the context of covenantal blessings and curses found in Leviticus 26:16 and Deuteronomy 28:22. Its placement alongside other devastating plagues underscores the seriousness with which the biblical text treats health as intertwined with spiritual fidelity. While these verses describe severe consequences for disobeying God’s commands, they also remind us of the profound connection between our physical well-being and our relationship with the Creator.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the gravity of the covenant relationship described in Scripture. It invites reflection on how our actions and faithfulness can impact not just our spiritual standing but also our physical reality. May we seek a life that honors God, trusting in His protection and provision for every aspect of our being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with <the>/ consumption1×
- <the>/ consumption1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שַּׁחֶ֣פֶת1×
- בַּ/שַּׁחֶ֨פֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 26:16
I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away. You will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it.
This verse lists shaḥepet as one of the curses appointed by God, specifically noting it will consume the eyes and make the soul pine away, emphasizing its draining effect on both body and spirit.
-
Deuteronomy 28:22
Yahweh will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with fiery heat, with the sword, with blight, and with mildew. They will pursue you until you perish.
Here shaḥepet is paired with other afflictions like fever and inflammation, illustrating how this wasting disease pursues the disobedient until they perish, highlighting its severity in the covenant curses.