Original Word: שָׁגַג
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shagag
Pronunciation: shah-GAHG
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-gag')
KJV: X also for that, deceived, err, go astray, sin ignorantly
NASB: because he also, goes astray, misled, sinned, went astray
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with more or less apology)

deceived, err, go astray, sin ignorantly

A primitive root; to stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with more or less apology) -- X also for that, deceived, err, go astray, sin ignorantly.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to go astray, commit sin or error
NASB Translation
because he also (1), goes astray (1), misled (1), sinned (1), went astray (1).

[שָׁגַג] verb go astray, commit sin or error ("" שׁגה, שׁוג); —

Qal Perfect שָׁגָג֛ Leviticus 5:18; Participle שֹׁגֵג Job 12:16; Psalm 119:67; feminine שֹׁגֶ֫גֶת Numbers 15:23; —

1 err,. mentally Job 12:16.

2 sin ignorantly, inadvertently, Leviticus 5:18; Numbers 15:28 (P), compare Psalm 119:67. — בְּשַׁגָּם Genesis 6:3 perhaps Infinitive construct suffix, by reason of their going astray, see Ges^{§ 67p} Ew Dr and others; > Vrss for that he also is flesh. אֲבִישַׁג.

Conceptual Overview

שָׁגַג (shagag) depicts an unintentional wandering from the path of righteousness—error born of ignorance, haste, or carelessness rather than high-handed rebellion. It is the verbal counterpart to the noun שְׁגָגָה (shegagah, “unintentional sin”). The word highlights human fallibility while leaving room for restoration through God-appointed means.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Leviticus 5:18 frames the term within the sin offering: “He is to bring to the priest a ram without defect from his flock, according to the valuation, as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement for him regarding the error he committed unintentionally, and he will be forgiven.”
• Numbers 15:28 distinguishes inadvertent sin from defiance, promising that “the priest will make atonement before the LORD for the person who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven.”
• Job 12:16 acknowledges that even the wise may stray: “With Him are strength and sound wisdom; both deceived and deceiver are His.” Job employs שָׁגַג rhetorically to confess that misguidance happens under God’s sovereign oversight.
• Psalm 119:67 personalizes the lesson: “Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.” The psalmist views affliction as divine correction that turns unintentional wandering into conscious obedience.

Historical and Cultic Context

Under the Mosaic system, inadvertent sin required sacrifice, affirming that sincerity alone could not remove guilt. The ritual response (a ram or bull without defect, depending on circumstance) functioned pedagogically:

1. It taught Israel the gravity of sin, intentional or not.
2. It preserved covenant fellowship by providing a tangible path to forgiveness.
3. It foreshadowed a fuller atonement in which even unknown sins would be covered (compare Hebrews 9:7).

By contrast, high-handed sins (“with a raised hand,” Numbers 15:30) had no sacrificial remedy, underscoring God’s mercy toward the unwitting yet His severity toward the defiant.

Theological Significance

1. Human limitation: שָׁגַג exposes the limits of human perception and consistency (Psalm 19:12).
2. Divine provision: God takes initiative to reconcile wanderers to Himself, illustrating the principle of grace preceding law.
3. Moral responsibility: Ignorance mitigates but does not erase guilt; accountability remains, but forgiveness is readily available through prescribed means.

Pastoral and Devotional Application

• Self-examination: Believers are urged to pray, “Reveal to me my hidden faults,” recognizing that error often hides beneath good intentions.
• Humility in leadership: Shepherds and teachers must remember that congregational missteps may be inadvertent and should be addressed with restorative rather than punitive measures (Galatians 6:1).
• Assurance of pardon: The sacrifices for שָׁגַג prefigure the comprehensive sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, encouraging believers to confess sins they know and trust God for those they do not (1 John 1:9).

Christological Implications

The Levitical remedies point beyond themselves to the Lamb “without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). In Jesus Christ, the once-for-all sacrifice satisfies both conscious and unconscious transgressions. Hebrews 5:2–3 connects the high priest’s sympathy for the ignorant and misguided with the effectiveness of Christ’s intercession, fulfilling the pattern established by שָׁגַג.

Summary

שָׁגַג reminds readers that wandering is part of the human condition, yet God’s covenant love provides clarity, correction, and cleansing. Its four occurrences trace a trajectory from ritual law, through wisdom reflection, to personal devotion—each chapter affirming that God’s mercy meets His people even in their unintended faults.

בִשְׁגָגָ֖ה בשגגה שָׁגָ֛ג שֹׁגֵ֑ג שֹׁגֵ֥ג שגג ḇiš·ḡā·ḡāh ḇišḡāḡāh šā·ḡāḡ šāḡāḡ shaGag shoGeg šō·ḡêḡ šōḡêḡ vishgaGahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts