שֵׂכוּ
Seku, a place in Palestine
Definition
Seku (שֵׂכוּ) is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, mentioned only once in the Old Testament. It is identified as a place near Ramah, where Saul sought David at the 'great well' (1 Samuel 19:22). The name itself, derived from a root meaning 'to look out' or 'to be high,' suggests it may have been an elevated site or lookout point. In the biblical context, it serves as a geographical marker in the narrative of Saul's pursuit of David.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 19:22. It appears in a narrative context as Saul travels to Seku (Sechu in the KJV) while searching for David, asking about the whereabouts of Samuel and David. The usage is purely geographical, specifying a location in the tribal territory of Benjamin near Ramah.
Etymology
The name שֵׂכוּ (Sêkûw) comes from an unused Hebrew root שׂכה (śkh) apparently meaning 'to look out,' 'to be high,' or 'to surmount.' This suggests the place was likely an observatory or a high point used for watching. It is related to the Hebrew word for 'thorn' or 'bramble' (שֵׂךְ, sēk), possibly implying a fortified or protected elevated site.
Semantic Range
As a place name, Seku reflects the practice of naming locations based on their physical characteristics or functions in ancient Israel. An 'observatory' or high point would have been strategically important for defense and communication. Its mention near Ramah (a city of Samuel) places it within the territory of Benjamin, an area of significant political and military activity during the early monarchy period.
None directly synonymous, but related geographically: רָמָה (Rāmâ, H7414) — a nearby city, also meaning 'height.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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