Lexical Summary shaga: To err, to go astray, to wander Original Word: שָׁגַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance play the mad man A primitive root; to rave through insanity -- (be, play the) mad (man). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be mad NASB Translation act the madman (1), behaving as a madman (1), demented (1), driven mad (1), mad fellow (1), madman (1), madmen (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁגַע] Pu`al be mad (Arabic  coo, of male pigeon, utter long whinny, of camel (compare HoffmZAW iii (1883), 89 RSJPhil. Xiv. 119 f. GoldziherArab. Philol. i. 59 ff. LagBN 202); Ethiopic  be mad (n insert, Di1055 BaES 50); Assyrian šegû, rage, howl; on meaning in Hebrew see especially WeSkizzen iii. 130); — Pu`al Participle as adjective : predicate וְהָיִיתָ מְשֻׁגָּע Deuteronomy 28:34 thou shalt be maddened (מִן because of), figurative for driven to despair; ׳מ of prophets, contemptuously Hosea 9:7, ׳כָּלאִֿישׁ מ וּמִתְנַבֵּא Jeremiah 29:26, as substantive 2 Kings 9:11; plural מְשֻׁגָּעִים 1 Samuel 21:16 madmen. Hithpa`el shew madness; Participle אִישׁ מִשְׁתַּגֵּעַ 1 Samuel 21:15; Infinitive construct לְהִשְׁתַּגֵּעַ v.1 Samuel 21:16. Topical Lexicon Overview Shāgaʿ depicts a state or display of madness, whether genuine, divinely imposed, pretended, or alleged. The verb describes mental disorientation in covenant curses, a strategy of self-preservation, and the charges leveled against prophets whose words were unwelcome. Through these varied settings Scripture exposes both the frailty of the human mind apart from God and the sovereignty of God in turning even madness—real or perceived—into an avenue for His purposes. Occurrences in Scripture • Deuteronomy 28:34 Covenant Warnings and Divine Judgment Deuteronomy 28:34 places shāgaʿ within the catalogue of curses for covenant infidelity: “You will be driven mad by the sights you see.”. Madness here is not merely a psychological phenomenon; it is an expression of divine sentence. The threatened insanity underlines how rebellion against the LORD shatters human wholeness. Mental anguish becomes part of the exile motif: a people who had once been set apart for wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:6) would, through disobedience, forfeit soundness of mind. Feigned Madness and Providential Protection In 1 Samuel 21 David “pretended to be insane” before Achish. The king protests, “Why have you brought this man to me? Do I lack madmen?” (1 Samuel 21:15). David’s ruse exploits Philistine cultural fears of the deranged and illustrates God’s providence in unlikely guise. The scene affirms that deliverance can arrive through unexpected means; the anointed king escapes death precisely by appearing cursed. Pastoral application: God’s rescue may offend human expectations, yet remains fully consistent with His covenant loyalty. Perceived Madness and Prophetic Ministry 2 Kings 9:11. Jehu’s officers call Elisha’s messenger “this madman,” revealing the tension between heavenly revelation and earthly perception. Jeremiah 29:26. Shemaiah accuses Jeremiah of madness, demanding that he be chained. Hosea 9:7. Israel decries the prophet: “The prophet is a fool; the inspired man is insane”. Taken together, these texts show that authentic prophecy is often branded irrational by a rebellious culture. What appears lunacy to the unspiritual is the wisdom of God (compare 1 Corinthians 2:14). The label of madness becomes a mark of faithful proclamation in hostile times. Theological Insights 1. Human sanity is covenantal. Soundness of mind flows from obedience; rejection of God invites confusion (Romans 1:21-22 echoes the same principle). Historical and Cultural Notes Ancient Near Eastern cultures associated madness with divine affliction or demonic influence. Consequently, madmen were feared and avoided. This backdrop explains Achish’s reaction and the officers’ contempt in 2 Kings 9:11. Priestly supervision of the temple (Jeremiah 29:26) included restraining those deemed mad, showing institutional attempts to maintain order by suppressing disturbing spiritual claims. Ministry Significance Today • Pastoral Care: Mental illness does not automatically equal divine judgment, yet Deuteronomy 28 reminds believers that sin has holistic consequences and that only in Christ is true wholeness restored. Summary Shāgaʿ traces a thread from covenant curse to prophetic confrontation to personal deliverance, revealing that sanity and madness are ultimately theological matters. Whether exposing judgment, shielding a fugitive king, or marking a rejected prophet, the concept underscores God’s absolute rule over the human mind and history. Forms and Transliterations הַמְשֻׁגָּ֥ע המשגע לְהִשְׁתַּגֵּ֖עַ להשתגע מְשֻׁגָּ֑ע מְשֻׁגָּ֖ע מְשֻׁגָּע֙ מְשֻׁגָּעִים֙ מִשְׁתַּגֵּ֔עַ משגע משגעים משתגע ham·šug·gā‘ hamshugGa hamšuggā‘ lə·hiš·tag·gê·a‘ lehishtagGea ləhištaggêa‘ mə·šug·gā‘ mə·šug·gā·‘îm meshugGa meshuggaIm məšuggā‘ məšuggā‘îm miš·tag·gê·a‘ mishtagGea mištaggêa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 28:34 HEB: וְהָיִ֖יתָ מְשֻׁגָּ֑ע מִמַּרְאֵ֥ה עֵינֶ֖יךָ NAS: You shall be driven mad by the sight KJV: So that thou shalt be mad for the sight INT: become shall be driven the sight eyes 1 Samuel 21:15 1 Samuel 21:15 1 Samuel 21:15 2 Kings 9:11 Jeremiah 29:26 Hosea 9:7 7 Occurrences |
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