שָׁסַע (sha.sa)
sha.sa
to cleave
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.sa describes the physical act of tearing or splitting something apart, often with a sense of violence or suddenness. In its basic form, it refers to dividing an object into pieces, but in biblical usage, it frequently carries the weight of rending garments as a public sign of grief, mourning, or outrage. This action was not merely destructive but communicative, signaling deep emotional distress to onlookers.
Its occurrences highlight this dramatic function, particularly in narratives involving profound loss or judgment. For instance, Jacob tears his clothes upon hearing false news of Joseph’s death (Genesis 37:29), and the high priest tears his garments in horror at what he perceives as blasphemy (Matthew 26:65). The word appears in legal texts like Leviticus regarding ritual purity, where tearing clothing is part of specific ceremonial responses. It also surfaces in Judges during moments of national crisis, marking the people’s repentance or despair.
The strength of sha.sa lies in its visceral imagery. Unlike softer words for breaking, it implies a forceful separation, often leaving the torn item unusable. This physical rupture mirrors the internal rupture felt by characters who perform the act. Translators typically render it "tear" or "rend," capturing both the literal action and its symbolic weight as an outward expression of inner turmoil.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha.sa describes a forceful tearing or splitting apart, often used to depict the violent rending of garments in moments of profound grief or shock. When biblical figures tear their clothes, they are not merely damaging fabric; they are making an internal pain visible to everyone around them. This physical rupture mirrors the sudden shock to the heart, turning private sorrow into a public testimony of distress.
In other contexts, such as dietary laws, the term refers to the natural splitting of hooves, distinguishing clean animals from those that do not meet specific criteria. While this seems purely practical, it reminds us that God cares about the details of daily life and community health. The word bridges the gap between raw human emotion and structured religious practice.
For your faith, sha.sa invites you to recognize that deep emotions are valid and often require outward expression. Whether in mourning or in obedience to ritual law, these actions ground spiritual realities in physical reality. You do not need to hide your grief; like the ancient figures, you can let your actions speak when words fail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [which] cleaves2×
- as/ tears apart1×
- and/ he will tear apart1×
- and/ he tore apart/ it1×
- and/ [is] cleaving1×
- [is] cleaving1×
- <the>/ cloven1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/שֹׁסַ֤עַת2×
- שֹׁסַ֗עַת1×
- כְּ/שַׁסַּ֣ע1×
- וַֽ/יְשַׁסְּעֵ֙/הוּ֙1×
- וְ/שֹׁסַ֥ע1×
- וְ/שִׁסַּ֨ע1×
- הַ/שְּׁסוּעָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 14:6
Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat with his bare hands, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done.
This verse uniquely portrays sha.sa as a supernatural act of strength where Samson tears a lion apart with his bare hands, highlighting the word's association with raw power and divine empowerment rather than just human grief.
-
Leviticus 1:17
He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Here the instruction to 'tear' the bird but not divide it completely shows how sha.sa is used in precise ritual instructions, emphasizing a specific ceremonial action that distinguishes this offering from others.
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Leviticus 11:7
The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.
The description of the pig having a 'split' hoof uses sha.sa to define physical characteristics for dietary laws, showing how the word applies to natural anatomy in establishing community boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sha.sa mean in the Bible?
Why do people tear their clothes in the Old Testament?
How is sha.sa different from other words for breaking?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 3 books)
Leviticus 4 verses
He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that…
Leviticus 11:3Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
Leviticus 11:7The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:26“‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you.…