שַׁעֲטָה (sha.a.tah)
sha.a.tah
stamping
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 sha.a.tah describes the loud, rhythmic sound of hooves stamping against the ground. It conveys a sense of heavy, forceful impact, evoking the image of cavalry charging or warhorses thrashing in preparation for battle. This is not a gentle step but a noise that signals imminent power and movement.
Its usage in Scripture is extremely rare, appearing only once in Jeremiah 47:3. There, it accompanies the description of the rumble of chariot wheels as Philistine forces advance against Gaza. The word helps paint an auditory picture of the approaching danger, emphasizing the physical weight and momentum of the invading army.
Because it refers specifically to the noise made by hooves, sha.a.tah is tightly bound to military contexts involving horses. It serves as a vivid onomatopoeic detail in prophetic literature, allowing readers to hear the threat before they see its full extent. The term highlights how ancient audiences experienced war through sensory details like sound and vibration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha.a.tah captures the terrifying reality of approaching danger through sound alone. In Jeremiah 47:3, it describes the heavy stamping of hooves and the rumbling of chariot wheels as an enemy army advances. This vivid imagery reminds us that God is aware of every threat that moves against His people, even when the noise seems overwhelming.
When life feels like a storm closing in, this word invites us to look beyond the immediate fear. The Bible shows that God hears the chaos and holds the power to stop it. We can find peace not by ignoring the danger, but by trusting in the One who is greater than any force on earth.
May you rest in the assurance that no noise of war or worry can separate you from God’s care. He walks with you through every loud and uncertain season, bringing stability to your heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] stamping of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַֽׁעֲטַת֙1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 47:3
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers don’t look back for their children because their hands are so feeble,
This verse uses sha.a.tah to describe the specific sound of hooves stamping, which triggers such terror that fathers leave their children behind due to weakness.