שְׁפוֹט (she.phot)
she.phot
judgment
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shəpōṭ denotes an act of judgment or a legal decision. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in 2 Chronicles 19:6 within King Jehoshaphat’s instructions to judges in fortified cities. The text commands them to consider what they are doing, as the Lord is present with them when rendering such decisions.
This term focuses on the concrete execution of justice rather than abstract principles. By using shəpōṭ here, the Chronicler emphasizes the gravity of the judicial office and the accountability involved in delivering verdicts. The word underscores that human judgment carries divine weight, requiring careful deliberation from those appointed to serve as arbiters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face difficult decisions or witness injustice, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of choosing what is right. The Hebrew word for judgment reminds us that our choices are never isolated from God’s presence. In a time when King Jehoshaphat appointed judges, he warned them that they were acting on behalf of the Lord Himself. This truth brings comfort because it means we do not have to carry the burden of perfect justice alone.
God invites us to trust His guidance in our own lives, whether we are making personal choices or observing how society handles right and wrong. The accountability involved in judgment highlights the seriousness of our actions, but it also points to a God who sees everything. We can rest in the knowledge that He is just and that He hears the cries of those who seek His help.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- judgment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁפוֹט֮1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 20:9
‘If evil comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
This verse highlights the connection between human distress and divine judgment, showing that God responds to pleas for justice in times of crisis.