שִׁית (shit)
shit
to set: make
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 58 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shît means to put, set, or place something in a specific position. It is a broad term used for physical actions, such as laying hands on an object or stationing watchmen, but it also applies to abstract decisions like fixing one’s mind on a course of action. In Genesis 3:15, God sets enmity between the serpent and the woman, establishing a boundary that defines their relationship.
Its range extends to appointment and constitution. When David reflects on his kingship in Psalm 132:11, he recalls how God swore an oath to set one of his descendants on his throne. This usage highlights the word’s weight in describing divine establishment rather than mere physical placement. The sources note it appears frequently in Psalms and Job, often where stability or intentional positioning is key.
The root shares a distant kinship with words for sitting or placing across Indo-European languages, suggesting a fundamental human concept of establishing order through placement. Translators render it variously as "set," "put," or "make" depending on context, but the core idea remains consistent: an act of positioning that creates a defined state or role.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shit carries the simple but profound meaning of setting or placing something in a specific position. It is not merely about physical location, but about establishing order and intention. When God sets boundaries or places someone in a role, He is defining their purpose within His larger plan. This action brings stability to what might otherwise be chaotic.
In your own life, this concept reminds you that your steps are ordered by a wise Creator. Just as God set enmity between the serpent and the woman in Genesis 3:15 to establish a clear path for redemption, He also sets you in positions where you can witness His faithfulness. You do not need to force outcomes; rather, you can trust that He is placing you exactly where you need to be.
This word invites us to rest in the certainty of divine placement. Whether you are facing uncertainty or celebrating a new beginning, remember that God’s actions are deliberate and purposeful. He sets the stage for your story, ensuring that every detail contributes to His good purposes. You can find peace in knowing that your life is held securely in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 58 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will set3×
- you set3×
- set2×
- it will be imposed2×
- he will put2×
- he has appointed2×
- and/ put2×
- and/ he set2×
- and/ he put [it]2×
- I will set2×
- I will put2×
- I will make2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יָּ֥שֶׁת3×
- שָׁ֥ת2×
- יָשִׁ֥ית2×
- יָשִׁ֤ית2×
- אָשִׁ֥ית2×
- אָשִׁ֣ית2×
- תָּשִׁ֥יתִי1×
- תָּשִׁ֥ית1×
- תָּשִׁ֣ית1×
- תָּֽשֶׁת\־1×
- תָּ֤שֶׁת1×
- תָּ֤שִׁ֥ית1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:15
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
This verse shows God actively establishing a boundary of hostility, defining the spiritual conflict between evil and humanity.
-
I Samuel 2:8
He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s. He has set the world on them.
Here the word describes God’s sovereign act of lifting the poor from dust to set them on a throne, highlighting His power to change social standing.
-
Job 7:17
What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,
The phrase 'set your mind on him' uses this verb to describe God’s focused attention on humanity, emphasizing the value He places on human life.
-
Genesis 48:14
Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Jacob lays his hands on Ephraim’s head, using this term to signify the intentional transfer of blessing and future authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word shît mean?
How is shît different from other words for 'put'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (58 verses across 13 books)
Genesis 7 verses
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head,…
Genesis 4:25Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child…
Genesis 30:40Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He…
Genesis 41:33“Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Genesis 46:4I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”
Genesis 48:14Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on…
Genesis 48:17When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s…