שִׂטְנָה (sit.nah)
sit.nah
accusation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun sitnah denotes a formal accusation or a state of active hostility. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the legal and political maneuvering used to obstruct religious and civic projects. The term carries the weight of a serious charge brought against an individual or group, often with the intent of halting their work through royal decree.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in Ezra 4:6. There, it records how officials from surrounding nations wrote letters to King Ahasuerus and later to Artaxerxes. These documents contained sitnah against the people of Judah, aiming to disrupt the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and temple. The context highlights how external opposition relied on legalistic accusations rather than open warfare.
The root concept relates to adversarial action, linking the word to the idea of an adversary or satan. While often translated as "accusation," it implies a broader enmity that manifests through formal complaints. This single usage illustrates the vulnerability of the post-exilic community and the persistent political challenges they faced from neighboring powers seeking to maintain control over the region.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you encounter strong opposition or false charges, remember that even God’s people faced formal accusations designed to stop His work. The Hebrew word sitnah describes a serious legal charge brought against others, often with political intent. In Ezra 4:6, neighbors wrote letters to kings to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. This shows that spiritual progress can attract calculated resistance.
God saw these efforts and protected His people despite the hostility. You may face similar situations where others try to undermine your faith or good work through rumors or legal complaints. Trust that God remains sovereign over such schemes. He sees the truth behind every accusation and works all things for good for those who love Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an accusation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׂטְנָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:6
In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
This verse uses sitnah to describe formal written charges sent to Persian kings, showing how political maneuvering was employed to obstruct the temple rebuilding.