Lexical Summary
suth: incited, entice, mislead
Original Word:סוּת
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:cuwth
Pronunciation:sooth
Phonetic Spelling:(sooth)
KJV: entice, move, persuade, provoke, remove, set on, stir up, take away
NASB:incited, entice, mislead, persuaded, diverted, enticed, inciting
Word Origin:[perhaps denominative fromH7898 (שַׁיִת - thorns)]
1. (properly) to prick
2. (figuratively) stimulate
3. (by implication) to seduce
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
entice, move, persuade, provoke, remove, set on, stir up, take away
Perhaps denominative fromshayith; properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce -- entice, move, persuade, provoke, remove, set on, stir up, take away.
see HEBREWshayith
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto incite, allure, instigate
NASB Translationdiverted (1), entice (2), enticed (1), incited (3), inciting (1), induced (1), mislead (2), misleading (1), misleads (1), misled (1), moved (1), persuaded (2), stirred (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Late Hebrew Hiph`il,
id.); —
Perfect3masculine singular suffix1 Samuel 26:19,Job 36:16; 3feminine singular1 Kings 21:25 (Ges§ 72w Köi. 460); 3 plural suffixJeremiah 38:22 (Ges§ 72ee);Imperfect3masculine singular2 Kings 18:32 2t., but also2 Samuel 24:1;1 Chronicles 21:1, suffixDeuteronomy 13:7;Job 36:18, etc.;ParticipleJeremiah 43:3; 2Chronicles 32:11; —
incite to make a request (with accusative of person + infinitive)Judges 1:14 (on text see GFM) =Joshua 15:18.
allure 2Chronicles 18:31and Godallured them away from him (si vera lectio; strike out clause as gloss Be Kit); so alsoJob 36:16 according to De Hi Bu and others;he allureth thee outof the mouth of distress, but Di Dufreedom hath seduced thee; for meaningseduce, entice, compare alsoJob 36:18.
instigate, in bad sense, with accusative of person, +against,1 Samuel 26:19;2 Samuel 24:1;Jeremiah 43:3;Job 2:3; with accusative of person alone1 Kings 21:25;2 Kings 18:32 =Isaiah 36:18, compare 2Chronicles 32:15;Deuteronomy 13:7;Jeremiah 38:22; + infinitive1 Chronicles 21:1; 2Chronicles 18:2; 32:11.
see
Topical Lexicon
Concept and NuanceThe verb סוּת occurs eighteen times and consistently depicts a calculated effort to move another’s will—whether by coaxing, provoking, or deceiving. It may appear benign on the surface (Joshua 15:18;Judges 1:14), yet most occurrences carry a moral warning: the one “incited” is being drawn away from a path ordained by God toward idolatry, sin, or destruction. In every context the word highlights the subtle power of persuasion and the responsibility of the hearer to discern truth.
Incitement to Idolatry and Apostasy
The foundational warning isDeuteronomy 13:6, where even the most intimate of relationships can “secretly entice you, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods.’” The Law demands that such enticement be utterly rejected, illustrating how seriously the covenant community must guard against doctrinal corruption. Jeremiah later echoes this danger when the officials charge, “Baruch is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Chaldeans” (Jeremiah 43:3). False spiritual counsel, no matter how authoritative it sounds, threatens covenant fidelity.
Political Manipulation and Military Intimidation
Several narratives employ סוּת to expose propaganda in national crises:
•2 Kings 18:32 andIsaiah 36:18 record the Assyrian envoy who “incites” Judah to surrender by questioning the Lord’s power: “Beware lest Hezekiah mislead you, saying, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’”
•2 Chronicles 32:11, 32:15 repeat the same scene, underscoring how repeated lies can wear down faith if not countered by steadfast trust in God.
• Ahab’s capitulation to wickedness is traced to domestic manipulation: “Jezebel his wife incited him” (1 Kings 21:25), proving that ungodly counsel at the highest level brings national ruin.
Individual Temptation and Spiritual Testing
On the personal level סוּת may arise from friendship (1 Samuel 26:19) or spiritual forces:
•Job 2:3 reveals an unseen heavenly dialogue: “You incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” The term exposes Satan’s role as tempter while affirming that the Lord remains sovereign over the outcome.
•Job 36:18 warns, “Be careful that rage does not entice you to scoffing,” linking emotional reactions to the potential of being drawn into sin.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency
A striking tension appears in2 Samuel 24:1 and its parallel in1 Chronicles 21:1. The former states, “He stirred up David,” while the latter attributes the same act to Satan. Scripture therefore presents both divine permission and demonic activity—never conflicting, but operating within God’s ultimate providence. The lesson is two-fold: the adversary’s schemes are real, yet God reigns supreme and uses even wrongful incitement to accomplish larger redemptive purposes.
Everyday Relationships and Requests
The earliest uses depict Achsah “urging” her husband Othniel to ask Caleb for springs of water (Joshua 15:18;Judges 1:14). Here סוּת carries no sinful connotation; it simply reflects earnest persuasion. The context teaches that the act of influencing another’s decision is not inherently wrong; its moral value depends on alignment with God’s will.
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
1. Guard the flock: Just as Judah faced relentless psychological warfare, congregations must be equipped to detect teaching that subtly redirects devotion away from Christ.
2. Examine motives: Leaders should weigh whether their counsel pushes others toward obedience or merely advances personal agendas (1 Samuel 26:19).
3. Cultivate discernment: Believers are called to test every spirit and remain vigilant even when pressure comes from trusted sources (Deuteronomy 13:6).
4. Rest in sovereignty: When external or internal voices provoke fear or pride, the account of David’s census reminds us that God’s purposes will stand and His discipline aims to restore, not destroy.
Christological and New Testament Resonance
Though סוּת itself is confined to the Old Testament, its theme resurfaces when Peter warns of “false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). Jesus likewise cautions, “See to it that no one leads you astray” (Matthew 24:4). The ultimate safeguard against incitement is abiding in Christ, whose Spirit guides “into all truth” (John 16:13).
Summary
סוּת exposes the potent force of persuasion—capable of fostering faithfulness when aligned with God’s purposes, but more often portrayed as a tool of deception aiming to derail covenant obedience. Scripture calls believers to vigilant discernment, humble dependence on the Lord’s sovereignty, and unwavering commitment to truth.
Forms and Transliterations
הֱסִֽיתְךָ֥ הֲסִיתְךָ֨ ׀ הִסִּית֜וּךָ הֵסַ֥תָּה הסיתוך הסיתך הסתה וַיְסִיתֵ֕הוּ וַיְסִיתֵ֥ם וַיָּ֙סֶת֙ וַיָּ֨סֶת וַתְּסִיתֵ֙הוּ֙ וַתְּסִיתֵ֥נִי ויסיתהו ויסיתם ויסת ותסיתהו ותסיתני יְסִֽיתְךָ֡ יְסִֽיתְךָ֣ יַסִּ֤ית יַסִּ֨ית יסית יסיתך מַסִּ֣ית מַסִּ֥ית מסית hă·sî·ṯə·ḵā hasiteCha hăsîṯəḵā hê·sat·tāh hĕ·sî·ṯə·ḵā heSattah hêsattāh hesiteCha hĕsîṯəḵā his·sî·ṯū·ḵā hissiTucha hissîṯūḵā mas·sîṯ masSit massîṯ vaiYaset vattesiTehu vattesiTeni vaysiTehu vaysiTem wat·tə·sî·ṯê·hū wat·tə·sî·ṯê·nî wattəsîṯêhū wattəsîṯênî way·sî·ṯê·hū way·sî·ṯêm way·yā·seṯ waysîṯêhū waysîṯêm wayyāseṯ yas·sîṯ yasSit yassîṯ yə·sî·ṯə·ḵā yesiteCha yəsîṯəḵā
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