Abarim Publications'
Biblical Name Vault





Hub
Name Vault
On Names in the Bible
Methods and Sources
Bible Commentary
The Hebrew Alphabet






Translation Service
Hub Contact Book Reviews Copyright Author

Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Seth


A
B
C
D
E
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
Y
Z
 Sabtah
Sabteca
Salem
Salu (Sallu)
Samson
Samuel
Sarah, Sarai
satan
Saul
Seba
Seir
Sephar
Serug
Seth
Shaddai
Sharon
Sheba
Shechem
Shelah
Sheleph
Shem
Shiloah, Siloam
Shiloh
Shimea
Shimei
Shinar
Shisha
Shoshannah
Shuah
Siddim
Sidon
Simeon
Sin
Sinite/ Sinim
Sinai
Sisera
Sitnah
Sodom
Solomon
Succoth
Susa
Susan/Susannah

Seth Seth

Seth (should be pronounced as Sheth) is the third son of Adam and Eve. Seth is the ancestor of Noah.

The name Seth is spelled the same as shet (shet 2380), foundation, as used in Isa 19:10 and, very appropriately, Ps 11:3. It comes from the verb shit (shit 2380), to put, set, which Eve uses when she names Seth: "God has appointed me another offspring..." (Gen 4:25).

But the name is also identical to shet (shet 2478a), buttocks; seat of the body, which comes from the unused root shata (shth 2478), which in turn is identical to shata (shata 2477), which means to drink. Perhaps these words have nothing to do with each other, but on the other hand, food and drink are on the top of the Maslow pyramid. And because one can endure longer without food than drink, drink is indeed the foundation of physical continuation.

Finally we note a phrase in Num 24:17: Sons of Din, 'sons of sheth', where the word shet is assumed to come from the word shet (she't 2301d), ruin or devastation, which comes from the verb shaa (sha'a 2301), make a din or crash. BDB and TWOTOT point at a text in Jer 48:45 where Num 24:17 seems to be cited, and whereJeremiah reads 'sons of shaon (sha'on 2301c).' NAS nevertheless reads 'sons of Sheth' for Num 24:17, with 'tumult' in a footnote.

The name Seth means Appointed, with connotations of Butt and Tumult.



• • •
home