Shı̂yth (שִׁית, Strong's #7896), “to put, place, set, station, fix.” In addition to biblical Hebrew, this verb is found frequently in ancient Ugaritic. It occurs more than 80 times in the Hebrew Old Testament, for the first time in Gen. 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman.…”

Generally speaking, this word is a term of physical action, typically expressing movement from one place to another. Often it expresses “putting” hands on someone or something: “… Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes [close your eyes]” (Gen. 46:4). One may “put on” ornaments (Exod. 33:4); Naomi laid her “grandchild” Obed in her bosom (Ruth 4:16); a fine may be “laid” on someone for injury (Exod. 21:22). Sheep may be “set” or stationed, at a particular place (Gen. 30:40). “To set” one’s heart to something is to give heed to, to pay attention (Exod. 7:23; RSV, “he did not lay even this to heart”). To set one’s heart may also be to reflect: “Then I saw, and considered it [set my heart to it] …” (Prov. 24:32).

“To set” boundaries is “to set,” or “fix,” limits: “And I will set thy bounds from the Red Sea even unto the sea of the Philistines …” (Exod. 23:31). When Job cries: “Oh … that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!” (Job 14:13), he wants limits “set” for him.

Shı̂yth is sometimes used to express the making of something: “… I will make him prince …” (1 Kings 11:34); “And I will lay it waste …” (Isa. 5:6); “… I will make thee a wilderness …” (Jer. 22:6).