שׁוֹפָךְ
Shophak, a Syrian
Definition
Shophak is a proper noun referring to a Syrian military commander who served under Hadadezer, king of Zobah, in the late 10th century BC. He is specifically mentioned as the commander of the Aramean (Syrian) army that fought against King David's forces, led by Joab, in two major battles (1 Chronicles 19:16, 18). The name itself, meaning 'poured out,' is likely symbolic, possibly denoting one who is devoted or perhaps even one whose life is 'poured out' in battle. In the biblical narrative, Shophak is a key antagonist whose defeat signifies God's deliverance of Israel from a powerful eastern coalition.
Biblical Usage
The name Shophak appears exclusively in the historical books of the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 19. It is used in a military context, identifying the commander of the Aramean forces allied with the Ammonites against Israel. The two occurrences (1 Chronicles 19:16, 18) frame his role in the conflict: first in the mustering of the army and then in the report of his defeat and death at the hands of David's army under Joab.
Etymology
Shophak (שׁוֹפָךְ) is derived from the Hebrew root שָׁפַךְ (shāphak, H8210), meaning 'to pour out, shed, or spill.' It is a qal passive participle form, effectively meaning 'poured out.' As a personal name, it follows a common ancient Near Eastern pattern where names are theophoric or descriptive, often referencing divine action or a personal characteristic—in this case, perhaps connoting dedication or a fate of being poured out.
Semantic Range
While Shophak himself is a minor figure, his story contributes to the larger theological theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His faithfulness to the Davidic covenant. The defeat of Shophak's powerful Aramean army (1 Chronicles 19:18) demonstrates that Israel's victories are granted by God, not merely by military might. Understanding his name's meaning ('poured out') can subtly underscore the fate of those who oppose God's anointed king, enriching the reader's view of this historical account as part of divine history.
In the ancient Near East, names were often meaningful and believed to influence or describe a person's destiny or character. 'Shophak' as a name for a military commander could be interpreted as a hopeful omen of his enemies being 'poured out' (defeated), or, ironically, it foreshadowed his own life being 'poured out' in defeat. As a Syrian (Aramean) commander, he represents one of the major geopolitical threats to Israel during the United Monarchy, highlighting the constant military pressures on the kingdom.
Hadadezer (H1928) — The Aramean king whom Shophak served, providing the political context. Shobach (H7737) — Variant spelling of the same name used in the parallel account in 2 Samuel 10:16, 18.
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 →