שָׁפַט

Strong’s Definition

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)

Etymology & Derivation

a primitive root;

KJV Usage

[phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.

Detailed Definition

From the Brown–Driver–Briggs (BDB) Hebrew lexicon outline.

• 1.to judge, govern, vindicate, punish
• 2.(qal)
• 3.(niphal)
• 4.(poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)

Scholarly Notes

Transliteration: shâphaṭ; Pronunciation: shaw-fat'