shib•bo•leth from Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary Pronunciation: \’shi-bə-ləth also –,leth\ Function: noun Etymology: Hebrew shibbōleth stream; from the use of this word in Judg 12:6 as a test to distinguish Gileadites from Ephraimites 1 a: a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or beliefand usually regarded by others as empty of real …