שָׁפַט (sha.phat)
sha.phat
to judge
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 141 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shaphat carries a broad scope that extends far beyond modern legal proceedings. It encompasses ruling, governing, and making decisive judgments in civil, political, and religious matters. The sources indicate it involves setting up justice, acting as an umpire between parties, or executing punishment for wrongdoing.
Its usage highlights a dual nature: it can mean vindicating the innocent or condemning the guilty. This range is visible when leaders are appointed to decide controversies (Exodus 18:22) and when God is described as judging with equity (Psalm 75:3). The term also appears in contexts of final judgment, reflecting its weight in divine justice.
Translators often render shaphat as "judge," but this English word can feel narrow. The Hebrew concept includes the active establishment of order and the resolution of disputes. It points to a comprehensive authority that brings fairness and restorations to right relationships within the community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shaphat carries a weight far heavier than our modern idea of a courtroom verdict. It describes an active process of establishing order, resolving disputes, and restoring right relationships within a community. When we read that God is the Judge, we are not just looking at a figure who hands down sentences, but One who actively intervenes to set things right. This includes vindicating the innocent and correcting what is broken.
For your daily life, this offers a profound comfort. You do not have to carry the burden of proving your own worth or seeking revenge when wronged. The story of Sarai in Genesis 16:5 shows her turning her painful conflict over to Yahweh, trusting that He sees the full picture. In a world where fairness often feels elusive, you can rest in the knowledge that ultimate justice belongs to God.
This trust allows you to live with peace rather than anxiety. It invites you to leave room for God’s timing and wisdom. You are free to focus on your own integrity while knowing that He handles the complexities of human conflict with perfect equity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 141 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he judged14×
- judges8×
- the/ judge7×
- to/ judge6×
- judge5×
- he will judge5×
- the/ judges4×
- you will judge3×
- vindicate/ me3×
- and/ you will judge3×
- and/ they will judge3×
- and/ he will judge3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֥ט5×
- שֹׁפֵ֖ט3×
- שֹׁ֥פְטֵי3×
- וַ/יִּשְׁפֹּ֤ט3×
- שׁוֹפֵ֖ט2×
- שֹׁפֵ֣ט2×
- שֹׁפְטִ֖ים2×
- שֹֽׁפְטִים֙2×
- שָׁפַ֥ט2×
- שָׁפְטֵ֤/נִי2×
- שִׁפְטוּ\־2×
- לִ/שְׁפֹּ֪ט2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 16:5
Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, she despised me. May Yahweh judge between me and you.”
Sarai uses this word to entrust her painful personal conflict to God, recognizing His authority to see the truth between two parties.
-
Genesis 18:25
May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Abraham appeals to the character of God as the Judge of all the earth, affirming that divine justice must always align with righteousness.
-
Exodus 18:16
When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”
Moses describes his role not just as a ruler but as one who mediates disputes to help people understand God's statutes and laws.
-
Leviticus 19:15
“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
This command highlights that true judgment requires impartiality, refusing to show favoritism to either the poor or the powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word shaphat mean?
How is God's judgment different from human judgment?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (141 verses across 29 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…
Genesis 18:25May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be…
Genesis 19:9They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a…
Genesis 31:53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of…