שְׂכִיָּה (se.khiy.yah)
se.khiy.yah
image
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sekiyah appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 2:16. Its exact meaning is highly uncertain, with scholars debating whether it refers to a ship, a craft, or perhaps an image. This ambiguity arises because the word is rare and does not appear elsewhere in biblical literature.
In its single occurrence, it describes objects belonging to ships of Tarshish that will be brought low on that day. The uncertainty surrounding its definition highlights the challenges of interpreting rare Hebrew terms. Translators often render it as "ships" or "vessels" based on context, though some suggest alternative meanings like images or crafts.
The word's obscurity serves as a reminder of how much we rely on broader linguistic patterns and contextual clues when dealing with uncommon vocabulary. Its appearance in Isaiah emphasizes the theme of human pride being humbled, regardless of whether it refers to maritime vessels or other valuable items.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sekiyah appears just once in Scripture, within Isaiah’s prophecy against human pride. Its exact meaning remains a mystery to scholars, with some translating it as ships and others as carved images. This uncertainty reminds us that God’s judgment targets the highest expressions of human achievement, whether they are maritime power or artistic idols.
When we encounter such rare words, we are invited to trust in the broader message of Scripture rather than fixating on a single disputed term. Isaiah uses this obscure word to illustrate how every form of earthly security will be humbled before God. It encourages us to place our hope not in the stability of our own creations, but in the unshakable nature of God’s reign.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] ships of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂכִיּ֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 2:16
for all the ships of Tarshish, and for all pleasant imagery.
This verse uses the word to describe objects belonging to ships of Tarshish that will be brought low, highlighting the theme of pride being humbled.