שִׁלְטוֹן (shil.ton)
shil.ton
power
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shilton denotes mastery or absolute power, appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible within Ecclesiastes (1:16; 2:7). It describes a state of dominion where one exercises control over others, reflecting the author’s exploration of human achievement and authority.
Its Aramaic equivalent is chesen, which carries a similar sense of authority or strength. The word underscores the tangible reality of ruling power, yet in its biblical context, it serves as a lens for examining the limits of such control rather than celebrating it.
Translators typically render shilton as "power" or "dominion," capturing its straightforward meaning without adding theological nuance beyond the text’s focus on earthly governance. This term highlights the concrete experience of authority in ancient Near Eastern society, where rulership was a visible and central aspect of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shilton points to a heavy, tangible kind of authority—the ability to command and control. In Ecclesiastes, the writer uses this term to look closely at human power. He sees kings who rule with absolute force and servants who obey without question. It is a stark picture of how the world often works, where status determines safety and influence.
Yet the text also shows us the limits of this power. Even those with great shilton cannot stop death or control their own spirits. This realization can be a comfort when we feel powerless in our own lives. It reminds us that no human leader holds the final card, and our worth is not tied to the authority others hold over us.
When we face situations where we have no control, this word invites us to look beyond earthly structures. We do not need to master every outcome to find peace. Trusting in a higher sovereignty allows us to rest when human power falls short.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] mastery2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁלְטוֹן֙1×
- שִׁלְט֑וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 8:4
for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
This verse highlights the absolute nature of royal authority, showing how shilton creates a social order where questioning leadership is impossible.
-
Ecclesiastes 8:8
There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.
Here the text sharply contrasts human political power with spiritual and biological realities, proving that even the strongest ruler cannot command life or death.