Lexical Summary
sheteph: Flood, Overflow, Torrent
Original Word: שֶׁטֶף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: sheteph
Pronunciation: SHEH-tef
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-tef)
KJV: flood, outrageous, overflowing
NASB: flood, outburst, overflowing
Word Origin: [from H7857 (שָׁטַף - overflow)]
1. a deluge (literally or figuratively)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
flood, outrageous, overflowing
Or sheteph {shay'-tef}; from shataph; a deluge (literally or figuratively) -- flood, outrageous, overflowing.
see HEBREW shataph
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shataphDefinitiona flood
NASB Translationflood (5), outburst (1), overflowing (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
Nahum 1:8 ; — absolute
Nahum 1:8 3t.; construct
Proverbs 27:4,
Psalm 32:6; —
flood, figurative of s judgement,
Nahum 1:8, compare
Daniel 9:26,
Daniel 11:22 (compare Dr); of calamity,
Psalm 32:6;
Proverbs 27:4 a flood of anger; so
Isaiah 54:8 ( for before following Ew Di; > Du Che Marti strike out as dittograph); literally of rainflood,
Job 38:25.
(√ of following; Assyrian ša‰âru, write, Sabean HomChr 124 DHMEp. Denkm. Arabic lii. 2, liv. 2; Arabic 👁 Image
rule (a book), write, 👁 Image
row, line; Aramaic , 👁 Image
document, so HilprBabylonian Exp. x.8 CISii.67, Nabataean, Palmyrene Lzb374:00:00 HomNKZ i.69 all from Assyrian).
Topical Lexicon
Overview The noun שֶׁטֶף pictures a sudden, irresistible rush—whether of literal water or any overwhelming force. Across its six appearances the term evokes power that exceeds human control, underscoring the Lord’s sovereign rule over nature, nations, passions, and judgment.
Old Testament Usage
1. Job 38:25 – Yahweh asks, “Who cuts a channel for the flood…?”. Here שֶׁטֶף is a showcase of the Creator’s mastery; torrential waters move only where He directs.
2. Psalm 32:6 – David urges the faithful to pray “surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” The flood symbolizes troubles that cannot drown those who seek God while He is near.
3. Proverbs 27:4 – “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?” Natural deluge becomes an analogy for unchecked emotion, warning that jealousy surpasses even flooding anger in destructive potential.
4. Daniel 9:26 – “The end will come like a flood.” The demise of Jerusalem and the sanctuary arrives with the same unstoppable speed as surging water, emphasizing the certainty of prophetic decree.
5. Daniel 11:22 – Military forces are swept away “like a flood,” portraying invading armies as a torrent carrying away all resistance.
6. Nahum 1:8 – “With an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh.” Assyria’s fall is framed as divine inundation, assuring Judah that oppressive powers cannot withstand the Lord.
Themes of Divine Sovereignty
שֶׁטֶף highlights the LORD’s unmatched authority. He not only unleashes torrents (Nahum 1:8) but also carves their channels (Job 38:25). Whether nature, empires, or emotions, every overwhelming surge remains under His command, fulfilling His purposes in judgment or protection.
Metaphorical Intensification
Proverbs 27:4 broadens the word’s scope to inner life; anger becomes a flood, warning that sin’s force can mirror natural catastrophe. In ministry settings this offers a vivid pastoral tool: unchecked passions will erode relationships as surely as waters erode land.
Prophetic and Eschatological Overtones
Daniel’s visions employ שֶׁטֶף to describe successive historical upheavals that prefigure end-time events. The flood-imagery anticipates final judgment scenes where rebellion is swept away, while the faithful remain secure—echoing Psalm 32:6.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Intercession: Psalm 32:6 encourages urgent prayer before crises swell beyond reach.
• Counseling: Proverbs 27:4 counsels believers to confront anger early; otherwise it will crest into destructive floodwaters.
• Preaching judgment and hope: Nahum and Daniel provide balanced proclamation—God’s wrath is overwhelming, yet His justice is precise and purposeful, offering refuge to those who repent.
Connection to New Testament Revelation
The imagery foreshadows New Testament warnings about a “flood of dissipation” (1 Peter 4:4) and the house that falls when “the floods came” (Matthew 7:25). In Christ, believers gain the firm foundation that withstands every שֶׁטֶף, fulfilling the protective promise glimpsed in Psalm 32:6.
Conclusion
שֶׁטֶף calls readers to revere God’s might, heed His warnings, and rest in His shelter. Whether the deluge is water, war, or wrath, the Lord stands sovereign above the torrent, faithful to judge evil and preserve those who trust in Him.
Forms and Transliterations
בַשֶּׁ֔טֶף בשטף הַשֶּׁ֛טֶף השטף וְשֶׁ֣טֶף וּבְשֶׁ֣טֶף ובשטף ושטף לְ֭שֵׁטֶף לַשֶּׁ֣טֶף לשטף ḇaš·še·ṭep̄ ḇaššeṭep̄ haš·še·ṭep̄ hashShetef haššeṭep̄ laš·še·ṭep̄ lashShetef laššeṭep̄ lə·šê·ṭep̄ ləšêṭep̄ Leshetef ū·ḇə·še·ṭep̄ ūḇəšeṭep̄ uveShetef vashShetef veShetef wə·še·ṭep̄ wəšeṭep̄
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