שֵׁת
Shet / Seth
“Appointed”
Seth (שֵׁת, Shet) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “appointed,” pronounced “SHET.” From the Hebrew verb שִׁית (shit) meaning 'to put, to place, to appoint.' Eve used the related verb שָׁת (shat): 'God has appointed (shat) for me another seed.' The name thus encodes divine appointment and restoration after loss.
| Hebrew | שֵׁת |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Shet |
| English Name | Seth |
| Meaning | Appointed |
| Pronunciation | SHET |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Shet, Sheth, Set |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 4:25 |
Seth was the son of new beginnings — born after the catastrophe of Cain murdering Abel, he represented God's gracious provision of a fresh start. Eve named him Seth (Shet), saying 'God has appointed for me another offspring in place of Abel' (Genesis 4:25). His name means 'appointed' or 'placed,' and through Seth's line came Enosh, Noah, Abraham, and ultimately the entire messianic lineage. Where Cain's line descended into violence and pride, Seth's line 'began to call upon the name of the LORD' (Genesis 4:26) — making his name a turning point in the spiritual history of humanity.
Key Scripture: Genesis 4:25
“Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, 'God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.'”
What Does Seth Mean in Hebrew?
From the root שׁ-י-ת (shin-yod-tav) meaning 'to set, place, appoint.' The name שֵׁת (Shet) is derived from Eve's declaration using the verb שָׁת (shat, 'He appointed/placed'). The name carries the theological weight of divine replacement and purposeful provision.
Seth in the Bible
Seth was born to Adam and Eve after Abel's murder, carrying forward the godly line. Through Seth came Enosh, during whose time 'people began to call on the name of the LORD' (Genesis 4:26). Seth's genealogy (Genesis 5) leads directly to Noah and from there to Abraham, making him the ancestor of the covenant people and, in Christian theology, of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:38).
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
In Jewish tradition, Seth is seen as the father of the righteous line, contrasted with Cain's violent descendants. The Gnostic tradition elevated Seth further, with some sects (Sethians) viewing him as a divine figure. In Islamic tradition, Shith is considered a prophet who received divine revelations after Adam.
Seth gained significant popularity in the United States from the 1970s through 2000s, peaking in the top 60. While it has declined slightly in recent years, it remains a recognizable name. Its clean, short sound and biblical depth give it understated strength.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seth
What does Seth mean in Hebrew?
Seth (שֵׁת, Shet) means “Appointed” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew verb שִׁית (shit) meaning 'to put, to place, to appoint.' Eve used the related verb שָׁת (shat): 'God has appointed (shat) for me another seed.' The name thus encodes divine appointment and restoration after loss.
How do you pronounce Seth in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Seth is “SHET.” The name is written שֵׁת in Hebrew script.
What does Seth mean in Hebrew?
Seth (שֵׁת, Shet) means 'appointed' or 'placed' in Hebrew, from the verb שָׁת (shat). Eve named him this saying 'God has appointed for me another offspring in place of Abel' (Genesis 4:25). The name signifies divine provision and purposeful replacement — God's answer to the tragedy of Abel's murder.
Why is Seth important in the Bible?
Seth carries forward the godly line after Abel's murder by Cain. His descendants include Enosh (who began calling on God's name), Noah (who survived the flood), and Abraham (father of the covenant people). Without Seth, the righteous lineage would have ended. In Luke's genealogy, Jesus' ancestry is traced back through Seth to Adam and God.
How is Seth different from Cain in the Bible?
The Bible presents Cain's and Seth's lines as contrasting paths of humanity. Cain's line (Genesis 4) produces city-builders, metalworkers, and musicians, but also escalating violence culminating in Lamech's boast of vengeance. Seth's line (Genesis 5) produces the godly who called upon the LORD's name, leading to Noah, the one righteous man preserved through the flood.
Sources & Further Study
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