שָׁפָל
depressed, literally or figuratively
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׁפָל (shâphâl) primarily means 'low' or 'humble,' describing both physical and spiritual states. In its literal sense, it refers to something physically depressed or low, such as a spot on a wall that appears deeper than the surrounding surface, as seen in the laws concerning leprous signs in Leviticus 13:20, 21, 26, and 14:37. Figuratively, it describes a person of low social status or humble character, as in 2 Samuel 6:22 where David speaks of being 'lowly' in his own eyes. The word also carries a positive moral and spiritual connotation, referring to humility before God, which God honors, as in Psalm 138:6 and Proverbs 16:19.
Biblical Usage
שָׁפָל is used 18 times in the Old Testament, appearing in legal, poetic, and wisdom literature. In the legal context of Leviticus, it describes the physical appearance of a skin disease on a wall. In narrative, David uses it to describe his own humility (2 Samuel 6:22). Its most significant usage is in wisdom and poetic books, where it describes the spiritually humble person whom God exalts (Job 5:11, Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 16:19). This pattern shows a development from a neutral physical description to a valued spiritual attribute.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213), meaning 'to be or become low, sink down.' This root conveys the idea of lowering, humbling, or making something depressed. שָׁפָל is the adjective form, meaning 'low' or 'humble.' Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, carry similar meanings of being low or humble, indicating a shared semantic field across the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the biblical virtue of humility. It describes the posture God desires from His people—a lowly view of oneself and a high view of God. Scriptures like Psalm 138:6 and Proverbs 16:19 show that God actively favors and exalts the שָׁפָל, contrasting human tendencies to prize pride. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting that biblical humility is not merely an attitude but a concrete state of being lowly, which God transforms through His grace, as echoed in the New Testament teaching that 'whoever humbles himself will be exalted' (Matthew 23:12).
In ancient Israelite culture, being 'low' (שָׁפָל) often carried a negative social connotation of poverty or weakness. However, the biblical wisdom tradition radically revalued this state, presenting it before God as a positive and honored condition. This contrasts with many ancient cultures that typically celebrated power, wealth, and high status. The biblical use thus subverts common cultural expectations, presenting humility as a path to true honor.
עָנָו (ʿānāv, H6035) — often translated 'meek' or 'humble,' focusing more on gentle piety and submission to God. כָּנַע (kānaʿ, H3665) — means 'to be humble' or 'subdue,' emphasizing the act of humbling oneself. שָׁחַח (shāḥaḥ, H7817) — means 'to bow down' or 'stoop,' describing a physical posture of humility or worship.
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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