Original Word: שַׁלִּיט
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: shalliyt
Pronunciation: shal-leet'
Phonetic Spelling: (shal-leet')
KJV: governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler
NASB: ruler, bold-faced, has authority, rulers
Word Origin: [from H7980 (שָׁלַט - empowered)]

1. potent
2. (concretely) a prince or warrior

governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler

From shalat; potent; concretely, a prince or warrior -- governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler.

see HEBREW shalat

Word Origin
from shalat
Definition
having mastery, domineering
NASB Translation
bold-faced (1), has authority (1), ruler (2), rulers (1).

שַׁלִּיט adjective having mastery, domineering; —

1 having mastery: בָּרוּחַ ׳אֵין אָדָם שׁ Ecclesiastes 8:8; elsewhere as substantive ׳הַשּׁ the ruler Ecclesiastes 10:5, so (with עַלהָֿאָרֶץ) Genesis 42:6 (probably late substitution for original word of E); plural as substantive שַׁלִּיטִים Ecclesiastes 7:19 (specifically of Alexander's successors Perles^{Anal. 42}).

2 domineering, imperious, feminine singular (Kö ^{ii. 10. 201}) אִשָּׁה זוֺנָה שַׁלָּ֑טֶת Ezekiel 16:30 (Jerusalem personified).

Definition in Context

A term denoting one who possesses authority, mastery, or dominion in civil, social, or existential spheres. It nuances both the capacity to command and the actual exercise of that power.

Occurrences and Immediate Settings

• Genesis 42:6 – Joseph serves as “the ruler over the land,” administering grain in a time of famine.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19 – Wisdom strengthens the wise “more than ten rulers in a city.”
• Ecclesiastes 8:8 – Humanity lacks “power over the wind” and the day of death, underscoring the limits of every shalit.
• Ecclesiastes 10:5 – An “error that proceeds from the ruler,” revealing the potential misuse of delegated authority.

Themes of Authority and Delegation

1. Instrument of Providence: Joseph’s elevation illustrates that governing authority can be God-ordained to preserve life and fulfill divine promises (cf. Genesis 45:7).
2. Relative, Not Absolute: Ecclesiastes frames any human authority as bounded—neither death nor the wind obeys mere mortals. The term thus invites humility in leadership.
3. Contrast with Wisdom: In Ecclesiastes 7:19 authentic wisdom outweighs numeric or positional power, hinting that moral insight is the true safeguard of a community.
4. Susceptibility to Corruption: Ecclesiastes 10:5 warns that a misstep by a shalit affects an entire realm, encouraging vigilance and accountability.

Historical Significance

In the Ancient Near Eastern milieu, rulers claimed divine right; Scripture counters by depicting rulers as servants under a higher Sovereign. Joseph’s tenure under Pharaoh models a viceroy who acknowledges God’s overarching hand (Genesis 41:16). The Preacher’s reflections in Ecclesiastes, likely penned in an era of expansive royal bureaucracy, expose the fragility of even entrenched hierarchies.

Theological Trajectory

The motif anticipates the Messiah, foretold as the ultimate Governor whose dominion is everlasting (Isaiah 9:6–7). Earthly shalit-figures foreshadow but never equal His perfect rule. Their limitations highlight humanity’s need for a righteous and unerring King.

Ministry Implications

• Leadership: Those entrusted with oversight—whether civic, ecclesial, or familial—bear a solemn stewardship. Joseph’s integrity sets the standard; Ecclesiastes supplies cautionary boundaries.
• Submission and Discernment: Believers respect legitimate authority (Romans 13:1) while remembering its derivative nature. When earthly rulers err, loyalty to God’s higher mandate prevails (Acts 5:29).
• Prayer for Rulers: Intercession aligns with the recognition that God “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21).
• Hope in Ultimate Reign: Present imperfections heighten anticipation of Christ’s consummate kingdom, motivating perseverance and faithful witness.

Key Takeaways

The word shalit encapsulates the tension between granted power and inherent frailty. Scripture honors rightful governance, tempers it with realism about human limits, and directs every reader toward trust in the One who is eternally “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

הַשַּׁלִּ֣יט הַשַּׁלִּֽיט׃ השליט השליט׃ שַׁלִּ֤יט שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים שליט שליטים haš·šal·lîṭ hashshalLit haššallîṭ šal·lî·ṭîm šal·lîṭ šallîṭ šallîṭîm shalLit shalliTimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts