Hebrew word · H7590

שׁוּט

hashatim

to despise

To treat with contempt, scorn, despise. Lexicons list the root as shʾṭ (HALOT) or as a second root shûṭ. It is related to an Aramaic word, and the noun shəʾāṭ means "contempt". This is contempt shown openly, in mockery, gloating and opportunistic violence.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to treat with contempt or despite

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to treat with contempt or despite

1a2) haters (participle)

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Ezekiel 28:24

Range of meaning

To treat with contempt, scorn, despise. Lexicons list the root as shʾṭ (HALOT) or as a second root shûṭ. It is related to an Aramaic word, and the noun shəʾāṭ means "contempt". This is contempt shown openly, in mockery, gloating and opportunistic violence.

Against the English

"Despised" (KJV), "scorned" (WEB) and "treat them with contempt" (BSB) are all fair. BSB is closest, because the word describes behaviour, not just a private feeling.

Used elsewhere in the period

Almost all its uses are in Ezekiel: 16:57 (the daughters of the Philistines "who despise you"), 25:6 (Ammon rejoicing "with all the contempt of your soul"), 25:15 (Philistines taking revenge "with contempt of soul"), 28:24 and 28:26 ("all those around them who treat them with contempt").

From the study of Ezekiel 28:26

Range of meaning

To despise or treat with scorn: showing contempt in words and actions. Ezekiel uses the related noun sheʾat (contempt, malice) for the neighbours' spiteful glee (25:6, 15; 36:5).

Against the English

KJV: 'despise'. BSB, WEB, ESV: 'treat with contempt'. NIV: 'maligned'. 'Despise' can sound like a private feeling. The Hebrew means contempt that is shown openly.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezek 16:57 uses it of Philistine and Edomite women who 'despise' Jerusalem, and 28:24 of neighbours who are 'a prickling brier and a painful thorn'. Chapter 25 spells out the contempt: Ammon said 'Aha!', clapped and stamped (25:3, 6), Moab sneered (25:8), Edom and Philistia took revenge 'with contempt of soul' (25:12, 15), and Tyre gloated (26:2).

From the study of Ezekiel 16:57

Range of meaning

To despise, to treat with contempt or malice. The word is rare, and in the Bible it appears only in Ezekiel.

Against the English

"Despise" is accurate in all the major versions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezekiel 16:57 and 28:24, 26 ('all their neighbours who treat them with contempt'). Related noun she'at, 'contempt, malice,' in Ezek 25:6, 15; 36:5, used of the Ammonites, Philistines and Edom gloating over Judah.

Where it appears

Ezekiel · 3

  1. Ezekiel 16:57 הַשָּׁאט֥וֹת who despise

    before your wickedness was uncovered? Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.

    Here: "Those (feminine) who despise." The participle describes ongoing contempt. This rare verb is found only in Ezekiel (here and 28:24, 26) and has relatives in Aramaic. It names the attitude behind the taunts.

  2. Ezekiel 28:24 הַשָּׁאטִ֖ים who despise

    For the people of Israel will no longer face a pricking brier or a painful thorn from all around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.’

    Here: "The ones treating them with contempt". It describes the neighbours. Ezekiel uses this word for the scorn and gloating the nations showed when Judah fell (25:6, 15).

  3. Ezekiel 28:26 הַשָּׁאטִ֤ים those [who] despise

    And there they will dwell securely, build houses, and plant vineyards. They will dwell securely when I execute judgments against all those around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”

    Here: 'The ones scorning': people who showed open, mocking contempt. Here the contempt was aimed at Judah when it fell.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.