שָׁלַט (sha.lat)
sha.lat
to domineer
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.lat describes exercising power over others, often with a negative connotation of domineering or lording it over. It appears six times in the Old Testament, primarily in Ecclesiastes and Esther, where it highlights the abuse of authority. In Esther 9:1, for instance, the text notes that the Jews gained mastery over their enemies, illustrating how this word can describe a shift in power dynamics during conflict.
Its usage extends beyond mere control to encompass the idea of having mastery or becoming master. The Hiphil stem further refines this by indicating giving power to someone or getting mastery over something. This nuanced understanding helps clarify passages where leadership and authority are discussed, such as in Psalms 110:2, where God grants dominion to the king.
Sha.lat’s root meaning emphasizes dominance and control, reflecting a broader cultural context where power relations were central. Translators often render it as "domineer" or "exercise power over," capturing its forceful nature. This word serves as a reminder of the ethical dimensions of leadership and the potential for misuse of authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sha.lat captures the heavy burden of authority when it becomes oppressive. It describes a ruler who lords it over subjects, turning leadership into domination. In Ecclesiastes, this reality is laid bare: one person gains power over another specifically to cause harm. This stark observation reminds us that unchecked power often corrupts, stripping away dignity rather than building up community.
Yet the Bible offers a different path. Psalm 119:133 shows a prayerful heart asking God to prevent any iniquity from exercising this kind of mastery over the believer. It is a plea for freedom from internal and external oppression. When we face leaders who abuse their position, or when we feel crushed by circumstances beyond our control, this word validates our struggle against injustice.
Ultimately, sha.lat invites us to examine how we wield influence in our own lives. Do we seek to serve, or do we crave the comfort of control? The text challenges us to reject the temptation to dominate others. Instead, we are called to a humility that respects the God-given worth of every person, trusting that true strength lies in restraint and service.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they domineered2×
- to/ domineer1×
- so/ he may have power1×
- it have power1×
- he gives power/ him1×
- he domineers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּשְׁלֶט\־1×
- שָׁלַ֧ט1×
- שָׁלְט֣וּ1×
- לִ/שְׁל֣וֹט1×
- יַשְׁלִיטֶ֤/נּוּ1×
- יִשְׁלְט֧וּ1×
- וְ/יִשְׁלַט֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 8:9
All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.
This verse explicitly links having power over another with causing harm, highlighting the destructive nature of domineering authority.
-
Psalms 119:133
Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
The psalmist prays against iniquity gaining mastery, showing that sha.lat is used to describe sin's oppressive control over a person.
-
Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
Nehemiah contrasts his own servant leadership with previous governors who used their office to rule over the people for personal gain.