שֹׁעַל
the palm; by extension, a handful
Definition
The Hebrew word שֹׁעַל (shôʻal) primarily refers to the hollow of the hand or the palm. This concrete meaning is vividly used in Isaiah 40:12, where God measures the waters 'in the hollow of his hand.' By extension, it can denote a handful, a quantity that fits within that hollow, as seen in 1 Kings 20:10. In Ezekiel 13:19, the word is used metaphorically, describing the false prophets profaning God 'for handfuls of barley,' linking the physical measure to a corrupt transaction.
Biblical Usage
This noun is used only three times in the Old Testament, each illustrating a slightly different nuance. In 1 Kings 20:10, it describes a literal 'handful of dust' in a boastful military threat. Isaiah 40:12 uses it cosmologically to portray God's immeasurable power, contrasting the vast seas with the small measure of His palm. Ezekiel 13:19 employs it in a context of spiritual corruption, where 'handfuls of barley' represent paltry bribes for which the prophets deceive people. The usage spans historical narrative, prophetic poetry, and prophetic judgment.
Etymology
The word derives from an unused root meaning 'to hollow out' or 'to make concave,' which directly informs its core meaning. It is related to the concept of a cupped hand or a shallow basin. This etymological root is visually apparent in its primary sense of the palm as a natural hollow.
Semantic Range
Though a simple noun, שֹׁעַל gains theological weight in its contexts. In Isaiah 40:12, it becomes a powerful anthropomorphic image highlighting God's sovereign majesty and intimate control over creation—the oceans are but a drop in His palm. In Ezekiel 13:19, it underscores the severity of false prophecy, showing how something as small as a 'handful' can be used for great evil, profaning God's name for trivial gain. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the imagery of God's power and the seriousness of corrupting divine truth for material pittance.
In the ancient Near East, the hand and its measurements were common units for small quantities in daily trade and life. A 'handful' was an informal but practical measure. The use in 1 Kings 20:10 reflects a cultural idiom of contempt, where a king claims he could overwhelm a city with only a token force, symbolized by a handful of dust. The 'handfuls of barley' in Ezekiel 13:19 represent meager payments, indicating the low value the false prophets placed on their sacred duty.
כַּף (kaph, H3709) — A more common term for 'palm' or 'hand,' often used for blessing, power, or possession; שֹׁעַל specifies the hollow or cupped shape. חֹפֶן (chōphen, H2651) — Specifically means a 'handful' as a measured quantity, often of grain or flour, whereas שֹׁעַל emphasizes the container (the hollow hand) itself.
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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