שְׁכֶם
the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of ahill
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׁכֶם (shᵉkem) primarily refers to the 'shoulder' or 'back of the neck,' the area between the shoulders where burdens are carried (Genesis 9:23, Exodus 12:34). Figuratively, it extends to mean a 'ridge' or 'spur of a hill,' likely due to the topographical resemblance to a shoulder (Joshua 4:5). In several significant passages, it takes on the metaphorical sense of 'consent' or 'agreement,' as in giving one's shoulder to a task or yoke (Genesis 24:8-9). It can also denote a 'portion' or 'allotment' of land, as seen in Genesis 48:22, where Jacob gives Joseph a 'portion' (שְׁכֶם) he took from the Amorites.
Biblical Usage
שְׁכֶם is used 22 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative and poetic books like Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, and Psalms. Its literal sense of 'shoulder' is common, describing carrying loads (Exodus 12:34) or physical placement (Genesis 9:23). The figurative 'ridge' appears in geographical contexts (Joshua 4:5). The metaphorical use for 'consent' is key in covenantal agreements, such as Abraham's servant seeking a sign for Isaac's wife (Genesis 24). In Genesis 49:15, it poetically describes a laborer's submission. The city of Shechem shares this root, often linked to its location on a mountain ridge.
Etymology
שְׁכֶם derives from the root שָׁכַם (H7925), meaning 'to rise early,' 'to start early in the morning,' or 'to shoulder a burden.' This connection suggests the concept of early, diligent labor or bearing a load from dawn. The noun form evolved to denote the physical shoulder as the place for carrying, then extended to a hill's shoulder-like ridge. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'sikmu,' also relate to the back or shoulder, indicating a shared ancient meaning.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it intertwines physical burden-bearing with spiritual concepts of consent, inheritance, and covenant. In Genesis 24, it symbolizes willing agreement in God's providential plan for marriage. Jacob's 'portion' (שְׁכֶם) in Genesis 48:22 foreshadows the tribal inheritance in the Promised Land, pointing to God's faithfulness. Understanding שְׁכֶם enriches reading by highlighting how physical submission (the shoulder) mirrors spiritual submission to God's yoke and the sharing of His burdens, a theme echoed in the New Testament (Matthew 11:29-30).
In ancient Israelite culture, the shoulder was a primary means for transporting heavy goods, using yokes or baskets, making שְׁכֶם a practical term for labor and travel. The metaphorical link to 'consent' stems from the cultural practice of nodding the shoulder or bearing a yoke to signify agreement to a task or covenant. The city of Shechem, a major site in the patriarchs' stories (e.g., Genesis 12:6-7), likely derived its name from its geographical setting on a mountain 'ridge,' reflecting how landscape influenced place names and identity.
כָּתֵף (kateph, H3802) — a more common term for 'shoulder,' often for carrying or support, less metaphorical. צַוָּאר (tsavvar, H6677) — specifically 'neck,' focusing on the front or throat area, not the burden-bearing back. שִׁכְמָה (shikmah, H7927) — a variant form with identical meaning, used interchangeably.
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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