Bible Dictionary
SHED, SHEDDING
To shed means to pour out, especially blood. Scripture also uses the language figuratively for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in believers’ hearts.
Definition
To shed means to pour out, especially to pour out blood. The term may also be used figuratively for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or the love of God.
Biblical Usage
In most Old Testament passages, shedding refers to the pouring out of blood. New Testament uses likewise speak of blood being shed. Figuratively, Scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit being poured out and of God’s love being poured into the believer’s heart.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew words and the Greek words ekcheo and ekchuno share the basic sense of pouring out. Their specific biblical use is most often connected with blood.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>The three Hebrew words, naghar, sim or sum and shaphakh, translated "shed" in many Old Testament passages, always mean a "pouring out," and in nearly every case point to the effusion of blood (Ge 9:6; Nu 35:33; De 21:7; 2Sa 20:10; 1Ch 22:8; Pr 1:16, etc.). The Greek words ekcheo, and ekchuno, have precisely the same specific meaning (Mt 23:35; 26:28; Mr 14:24; Lu 11:50; Heb 9:22; Re 16:6). Sometimes they are tropically used in reference to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:33 the King James Version; Tit 3:6), and to the outpouring of the love of God in the believer's heart (Ro 5:5).</p><p>Henry E. Dosker</p>