שְׁחַת (she.chat)
she.chat
to corrupt
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shachat means to spoil, ruin, or corrupt something that was originally good. It describes a process of decay or moral failure that leads to destruction. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 9:26, where it describes the fate of the Messiah.
In this specific context, the term highlights the violent end of the Anointed One. The text states he will be "cut off" and have nothing, but the use of shachat emphasizes that his death was not a natural conclusion but an act of corruption or ruin by human hands. It underscores the injustice and brutality involved in his execution.
While rare, this single occurrence carries significant weight. It connects the suffering of the Messiah to the broader biblical theme of evil disrupting God's order. The word serves as a stark reminder that even the most righteous can be targeted by those who seek to destroy them, yet it also points to the tragic cost of sin in the world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shachat describes a process of ruin or corruption, often applied to things that were originally good but spoiled by external force or moral failure. In the Old Testament, it appears only once, in Daniel 2:9, where it refers to the corrupt words spoken by those who sought to deceive King Nebuchadnezzar. This rare usage highlights how human deceit can twist truth and lead to destructive outcomes.
For your faith, this word serves as a sobering reminder of the power of dishonesty and the importance of integrity. It shows that corruption is not just a physical decay but a moral failure that disrupts relationships and trust. While the Bible warns against such corruption, it also points to God’s ultimate authority over truth and justice.
In times when you feel surrounded by deception or brokenness, this word invites you to hold fast to honesty and rely on God’s wisdom. It reassures us that even when human efforts fail, God remains faithful to restore what has been corrupted.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ corrupt1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/שְׁחִיתָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:9
But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me its interpretation.”
This verse uses shachat to describe the corrupt words spoken by those who tried to deceive the king, highlighting the moral failure behind their actions.