שָׁשַׁק
Shashak, an Israelite
Definition
Shashak is a proper name belonging to an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin, recorded in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles. The name appears twice, identifying two different individuals within the same tribal lineage. In 1 Chronicles 8:14, Shashak is listed as a son of Beriah, and in 1 Chronicles 8:25, another Shashak is listed as a son of Elpaal. These references serve to establish his place within the family structure and historical record of Benjamin, contributing to the chronicler's detailed account of Israel's tribal heritage.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament, appearing only in the genealogical sections of 1 Chronicles. Both occurrences are found in chapter 8, which details the descendants of Benjamin. The usage is purely identificatory, serving to list lineage without narrative context or associated actions. The pattern is consistent with other names in these lists, functioning to preserve family history and tribal identity.
Etymology
The name Shashak (שָׁשַׁק) is likely derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּק (shûq, H7785), which means 'to run' or 'to rush.' This root is associated with the leg or thigh, conveying a sense of being a pedestrian or runner. As a proper name, it was probably descriptive, perhaps implying agility, speed, or occupation. The exact semantic development from the root to this specific name is not fully clear, but it follows a common pattern where Hebrew personal names are based on physical attributes or actions.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning related to circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or physical characteristics. While the precise significance of 'Shashak' is uncertain, its potential connection to 'running' may have denoted a desirable trait like swiftness or vigor. Recording such names in genealogies was culturally vital for establishing lineage, inheritance rights, and tribal identity, which were central to Israel's social and religious structure.
Beriah (Bĕriyʻâh, H1283) — Father of one Shashak, another Benjaminite name. Elpaal (ʼElpaʻal, H508) — Father of another Shashak, also a Benjaminite ancestor.
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.
Full methodology & sources →