שָׁקַר
to cheat, i.e. be untrue (usually in words)
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׁקַר (shâqar) fundamentally means to act deceitfully or falsely, primarily through speech. It describes the act of breaking a promise, failing to fulfill an agreement, or telling a lie. In Genesis 21:23, it refers to swearing falsely or breaking a treaty. In Leviticus 19:11, it is used in the command against lying to one another. The word can also denote a failure to act, as in God's promise not to 'lie' or 'fail' in 1 Samuel 15:29 and Psalm 89:33, where it emphasizes divine faithfulness by contrast.
Biblical Usage
שָׁקַר is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in contexts of covenant relationships and ethical commands. It appears in legal instruction (Leviticus 19:11), historical narrative about treaties (Genesis 21:23), and poetic descriptions of God's character (1 Samuel 15:29, Psalm 89:33). A key pattern is its use to contrast human deceit with God's unwavering truth; God is described as one who will not 'שָׁקַר' (1 Samuel 15:29), setting a standard against which human falsehood is measured.
Etymology
A primitive root, שָׁקַר is related to the noun שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267), meaning 'lie' or 'falsehood.' It is part of a word family centered on deception and lack of truth. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, also carry meanings related to lying or deceiving, indicating a long-standing semantic field of verbal falsehood.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it directly addresses the character of God versus human sin. In key passages like 1 Samuel 15:29, God's nature is defined by not 'שָׁקַר'-ing, highlighting His absolute truthfulness and covenant faithfulness. This contrasts with human propensity to deceive, as condemned in Leviticus 19:11. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by clarifying that biblical 'lying' is not just casual untruth but a fundamental breach of relational trust and covenant integrity, making God's reliability all the more central.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, verbal agreements and oaths were binding social and legal contracts, often made before deities. To 'שָׁקַר' was not merely a personal moral failure but a serious public act that could destabilize alliances and invite divine judgment, as seen in treaty contexts like Genesis 21:23. This cultural weight makes the biblical prohibitions against it particularly severe.
כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to deny, disown, or lie, often with a sense of feigning ignorance or refusing to acknowledge truth. שָׁקַר focuses more on active deception in speech or promise-breaking.
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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