Original Word: שָׂהֵד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: sahed
Pronunciation: sah-HAYD
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-hade')
Definition: Witness, Testimony
Meaning: a witness

Word Origin: Derived from the root סָהַד (sahad), which means "to testify" or "to bear witness."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint and the New Testament is μαρτυρία (martyria), which also means "testimony" or "witness." This term is found in passages such as John 1:7, where John the Baptist is described as a witness to the light.

Usage: The term "sahed" is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a witness or testimony, often in a legal or covenantal context. It refers to someone who bears witness to an event, agreement, or truth. The concept of a witness is crucial in establishing truth and justice within the community, as it provides a basis for verifying claims and ensuring accountability.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite society, the role of a witness was vital in legal proceedings. The testimony of witnesses was necessary to establish the truth in disputes, particularly in cases involving serious accusations such as murder or adultery. The requirement for multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) underscores the importance of corroborated testimony in maintaining justice. Witnesses were expected to be truthful and impartial, as false testimony was severely condemned (Exodus 20:16).

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a witness
NASB Translation
advocate (1).

[שָׂהֵד] noun [masculine] witness (Aramaic loan-word = Hebrew עֵד; √ סְהַד ); — suffix שָֽׂהֲדִי Job 16:19 ("" עֵדִי). — שָֽׂהֲדוּתָא Genesis 31:47 see Biblical Aramaic Lexicon.

שׂהר (√ of following; compare Arabic new moon ( is make conspicuous, notorious); Ethiopic id.; ᵑ7 סִיהֲרָא, Syriac moon; Old Aramaic שהר moon-god Lzb³⁷³).

[שָֽׂהֲדוּ] noun feminine testimony (√ שְׂהַד = ᵑ7 סְהַד testify, Syriac , Arabic testify, compare Biblical Hebrew [שָׂהֵד] (once, as loan-word) K^{Aramaic 86}; Egyptian Aramaic plural שהדיאֹ witnesses Cooke⁴⁰⁴ S-C^{A. 15} + often); — emphatic שָֽׂהֲדוּתָא Genesis 31:47 ("" Biblical Hebrew עֵד).

record

From an unused root meaning to testify; a witness -- record.

וְ֝שָׂהֲדִ֗י ושהדי vesahaDi wə·śā·hă·ḏî wəśāhăḏîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts