שָׁקַט
to repose (usually figurative)
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ) fundamentally means 'to be quiet,' 'to be at rest,' or 'to settle down.' It describes a state of cessation from disturbance, conflict, or labor. While it can refer to physical rest from war, as when 'the land had rest' after military campaigns (Judges 3:11, 5:31), it often carries a figurative sense of peace, security, and tranquility granted by God. In some contexts, it implies a negative idleness or complacency, as seen in Zechariah 1:11, where the whole earth is described as 'quiet and at rest' in a state of false peace before divine judgment.
Biblical Usage
שָׁקַט is used 41 times, predominantly in the historical books (Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Chronicles) to describe periods of peace and rest from enemies granted by God to Israel. A common phrase is 'the land had rest' (e.g., Joshua 11:23, Judges 3:30, 8:28). It is also used in poetic and prophetic books. In Psalms, it describes the quieting of personal distress (Psalm 94:13), while in Jeremiah and Zechariah, it describes a deceptive, unsettled quiet before judgment (Jeremiah 47:6-7, Zechariah 1:11).
Etymology
שָׁקַט is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to being quiet, inactive, or at rest. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings of being quiet or low. The Hebrew noun derived from this root, שֶׁקֶט (sheqet, H8253), means 'quietness' or 'rest,' reinforcing the verbal idea.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it often describes the divine gift of rest (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) following obedience and victory, a key theme in Joshua and Judges. It points to God as the ultimate source of national peace and security. The concept also connects to the Sabbath rest and foreshadows the eternal rest promised to God's people (Hebrews 4:9-10). Understanding שָׁקַט enriches reading by highlighting that biblical 'rest' is not merely inactivity but a state of wholeness and security established by God's faithfulness.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, 'rest' from war was a prized and rare condition, often seen as a direct blessing from the deity for a king or nation. The phrase 'the land had rest' was a standard historiographic formula marking the successful conclusion of a military campaign and the establishment of stable, peaceful rule. This contrasts with a modern individualistic view of rest, as it primarily described a collective, national condition.
נוּחַ (nûach, H5117) — to rest, settle down; often used interchangeably, but can emphasize settling in a place. שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to cease, desist; focuses on stopping activity, especially for the Sabbath. שָׁלוֹם (shâlôm, H7965) — peace, wholeness; a broader, more comprehensive state of well-being that includes שָׁקַט.
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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