שָׁפַט
To judge , i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish ; by extenssion, to govern ; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does שָׁפַט (shāphaṭ) mean in the Bible?
שָׁפַט (shāphaṭ) is a Hebrew word meaning "to judge , i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish ; by extenssion, to govern ; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)". to judge, i. The LORD’s act of judging emphasizes that ultimate authority over leaders and nations belongs to him.
Meaning
To judge is to execute justice through pronouncement, vindication, punishment, and governance—God's covenantal prerogative.
to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively) BDB: judge Usage: avenge, × that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), × needs, plead, reason, rule.
Why This Word Matters
The Lord’s act of judging emphasizes that ultimate authority over leaders and nations belongs to Him. Isaiah 3:13-15
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 80×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 9×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 204 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.