שָׁקַל
to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׁקַל (shâqal) fundamentally means 'to weigh' or 'to measure by weight,' often referring to the physical act of weighing precious metals like silver or gold in commercial transactions (Genesis 23:16, Ezra 8:25-26). By extension, it came to signify the broader concepts of paying, receiving payment, or spending, as the transfer of weighed currency was central to commerce. In a few figurative instances, it describes a careful, measured evaluation, as seen in 2 Samuel 14:26 where Absalom's hair is 'weighed' annually, implying a precise assessment. The sense of 'suspending' or 'poising' relates to the balancing of scales.
Biblical Usage
שָׁקַל is used primarily in narrative and legal contexts involving financial transactions, compensation, or tribute. It appears in stories of land purchase (Genesis 23:16), legal fines (Exodus 22:17), royal tribute (2 Samuel 18:12, 1 Kings 20:39), and the handling of temple treasures (Ezra 8:25-29). The usage is concentrated in historical books, with no occurrences in the poetic or prophetic literature, highlighting its concrete, economic application.
Etymology
A primitive root, שָׁקַל is related to the noun 'shekel' (שֶׁקֶל, H8255), the standard unit of weight and currency. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages (e.g., Akkadian 'šaqālu'), all centered on the concept of weighing. The meaning developed from the physical action to the commercial and financial processes dependent on it.
Semantic Range
While primarily an economic term, שָׁקַל touches on themes of justice, honesty, and covenant faithfulness in transactions. In passages like Exodus 22:17, it is part of God's law ensuring fair restitution. Its use in the context of Abraham's purchase of a burial site (Genesis 23:16) and the handling of sacred articles for the temple (Ezra 8) connects honest dealing with God's promises and worship. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how integral integrity in mundane matters is to biblical faith.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, standardized coinage did not exist; commerce relied on weighing raw metal (usually silver) on scales. Therefore, 'to weigh' (שָׁקַל) was synonymous with making a payment. This differs from modern digital or minted currency transactions. The act required trust in the weights and the honesty of the parties, making it a potent symbol for justice (cf. Proverbs 16:11).
כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — 'silver/money'; the commodity being weighed. מָדַד (mâdad, H4058) — 'to measure' (length or volume); distinct from weighing mass. נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — 'to give'; a broader term for transfer, not specifying measured payment.
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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