שָׁעַע (sha.a)

sha.a

to smear; to delight

H8173 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 8 verses

H:V

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 8 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb sha.a carries two distinct meanings that depend on its grammatical form. In the Qal stem, it describes a physical action: to smear or blind, often by covering the eyes. This usage appears in Isaiah 29:10, where God causes a spirit of deep sleep to fall upon the people, effectively blinding their perception of divine truth.

In the Pilpel and Hithpalpel stems, however, the word shifts entirely to express joy or delight. Here it conveys playful interaction or fond pleasure. Psalm 119:16 uses this sense when the psalmist declares he will delight himself in God’s statutes. Similarly, Isaiah 11:8 employs vivid imagery, suggesting a weaned child playing safely near a cobra’s den, illustrating a state of secure joy.

This dual nature highlights how Hebrew roots can branch into seemingly unrelated concepts. The connection likely lies in the idea of covering or focusing attention—whether that is a physical barrier obscuring sight or an emotional absorption that brings delight. Translators must carefully distinguish these forms to capture whether the text speaks of spiritual blindness or joyful engagement.

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.a offers a fascinating glimpse into how language captures both our physical limitations and our spiritual joys. In its primary sense, it describes an action of smearing or blinding, often used to illustrate how human perception can be obscured from divine truth. Isaiah uses this imagery to describe a state where hearts become dull and eyes shut, preventing people from seeing the healing grace God offers. This serves as a sobering reminder that understanding spiritual realities requires more than just physical sight; it demands an openness of heart.

Yet the same root also carries a beautiful meaning of delight and playful engagement. When the Psalmist speaks of delighting in God’s statutes, he uses this word to describe a deep, personal pleasure in following divine instruction. It is not merely about duty, but about finding joy in the relationship itself. This dual nature invites us to examine our own hearts: are we allowing distractions to blur our spiritual vision, or are we actively cultivating a delight that keeps our focus fixed on God’s wisdom?

Ultimately, this word bridges the gap between confusion and clarity. It reminds us that while we may sometimes feel spiritually blind or overwhelmed, there is a path toward joy found in engaging with Scripture. By seeking to understand God’s commands rather than avoiding them, we move from a state of dullness into one of vibrant delight. This shift transforms our daily walk, turning routine obedience into a source of genuine comfort and peace.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.

you will be fondled1×
they delighted1×
seal over1×
blind yourselves1×
and/ he will play1×
and/ be blind1×
and/ I may delight myself1×
I will delight myself1×
I delight1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

תְּשָׁעֳשָֽׁעוּ\׃1×
שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי\׃1×
יְֽשַׁעַשְׁע֥וּ1×
וָ/שֹׁ֑עוּ1×
וְ/שִֽׁעֲשַׁ֥ע1×
וְ/אֶשְׁתַּֽעֲשַׁ֥ע1×
הָשַׁ֑ע1×
הִשְׁתַּֽעַשְׁע֖וּ1×
אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע1×

Key Verses

Psalms 119:16
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL

This verse uses the Pilpel stem to express the psalmist's active, personal joy in God's statutes, highlighting delight as a voluntary engagement with divine instruction.
Isaiah 29:9
Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Here the word appears in a context of spiritual blindness, where the people are described as staggering and blind not from wine, but from a lack of spiritual perception.
Psalms 119:70
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

The psalmist contrasts the callous hearts of others with his own delight in God's law, showing that this word signifies a deep affection for divine truth despite external hardness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word sha.a mean?

Sha.a has two distinct meanings depending on its grammatical form. In the Qal stem, it means to smear or blind, often describing physical or spiritual obscurity. In the Pilpel and Hithpalpel stems, it shifts to mean delighting or taking pleasure in something, particularly in the context of God's commands.

How is sha.a different from other words for joy?

While many Hebrew words express general happiness, sha.a (in its delight sense) often implies a deep, personal engagement or fond pleasure. In Psalms, it describes the psalmist's active choice to find satisfaction in God's statutes, suggesting a relational joy rather than just fleeting emotion.

Where does sha.a appear in the Bible?

It appears in eight verses, primarily in Psalms and Isaiah. Key occurrences include Psalm 119:16, where the psalmist delights in God's statutes, and Isaiah 29:9, where it describes a state of spiritual blindness and stupor among the people.

Every Occurrence (8 verses across 2 books)

Psalms 4 verses

Psalms 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul.

Psalms 119:16

I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL

Psalms 119:47

I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

Psalms 119:70

Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

Isaiah 4 verses