שָׁק
the leg
Definition
The Hebrew noun שָׁק (shâq) refers to the leg, specifically the lower leg from the knee to the ankle. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 2:33, it describes the legs of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which are made of iron. While the basic meaning is anatomical, in this prophetic context, the material of the legs (iron) symbolizes strength and a kingdom that will 'break in pieces and crush' others (Daniel 2:40). The word can imply a foundational or supporting structure, as the legs bear the weight of the body.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in the description of the colossal statue in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:31-33). The usage is purely descriptive, identifying a specific part of the statue's anatomy ('its legs of iron'), but within a highly symbolic and prophetic narrative.
Etymology
שָׁק (shâq) is an Aramaic word used in the biblical text, corresponding directly to the Hebrew noun שׁוֹק (shôq, H7785), which also means 'leg' or 'thigh.' Both words share a common Semitic root. The Hebrew שׁוֹק is used more frequently, including in ritual contexts for the hind leg of a sacrifice (e.g., Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 8:25).
Semantic Range
While the word itself is an anatomical term, its single use in Daniel 2:33 carries significant theological weight within the context of biblical prophecy. The legs of iron represent the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which scholars often associate with the Roman Empire. This imagery contributes to the theme of God's sovereignty over human kingdoms and the establishment of His eternal kingdom (Daniel 2:44). Understanding this part of the statue helps interpret the sequence and nature of the empires depicted.
In the ancient Near East, the leg was a symbol of strength, stability, and military power. An army's 'legs' were its marching columns. The choice of iron for the legs in the dream would have been immediately understood as representing unparalleled strength and durability, as iron was the hardest metal commonly used for tools and weapons at the time. This contrasts with the weaker materials (clay, iron) of the feet, signaling a flaw in an otherwise mighty structure.
שׁוֹק (shôq, H7785) — The standard Hebrew word for 'leg' or 'thigh,' used in both everyday and sacrificial contexts. כָּרָע (kārāʿ, H3767) — Often refers to the lower leg or shin, and by extension, the act of kneeling. רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — A more general term for the foot or, by extension, the whole leg as used for walking.
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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