שִׁיחָה (shi.chah)
shi.chah
pit
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun shiḥah refers to a pit, specifically one that is deep or hidden. In the Hebrew Bible, this word carries a heavy sense of danger and entrapment. It describes a place from which escape is difficult, often serving as a metaphor for death, despair, or divine judgment.
This term appears only once in the Psalms (Psalm 57:4), where the psalmist cries out that his enemies are "a fire and a spear and a sharp sword" and that he is surrounded by lions whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. The imagery of the pit here underscores the intensity of the threat and the depth of the peril from which deliverance is sought.
Unlike other words for a hole or cistern, shiḥah emphasizes the ominous, inescapable nature of the depression in the ground. It is not merely a physical feature but a symbol of crisis. The singular occurrence highlights its power as a literary device to convey extreme vulnerability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shiḥah describes a deep, hidden pit, often used as a metaphor for sudden danger or entrapment. In Psalm 119:85, the psalmist notes that proud people have dug such pits against him, violating God's law. This imagery reminds us that injustice can feel like a trap set by those who oppose divine truth.
Yet this word also points to our need for God’s protection when we face hidden threats or unfair opposition. It invites us to trust in His justice rather than despairing over the schemes of others. We are not left alone in these moments; God sees the depths and offers deliverance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pits1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁיח֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 119:85
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
This verse uses shiḥah to describe a trap dug by the proud, highlighting how unjust people may try to hinder obedience to God’s law.