שִׁלֻּחָה

שִׁלֻּחָה

a shoot

Definition

The Hebrew noun שִׁלֻּחָה (shilluchâh) refers to a 'shoot' or 'branch' that is sent out or extends from a plant, particularly a vine. It describes a new, tender growth that spreads or is sent forth from the main stem. In its single biblical occurrence in Isaiah 16:8, it poetically depicts the spreading branches of the vines of the devastated vineyards of Moab, emphasizing their former luxuriance and reach. The word carries a sense of extension and propagation, focusing on the living, growing part of the plant that is actively expanding.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 16:8. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against Moab, within a lament describing the ruin of its fertile vineyards. The context is poetic and agricultural, using the image of widespread vine branches (שִׁלֻּחוֹתֶיהָ, 'her shoots') that once reached distant places (even crossing the sea) to symbolize Moab's former prosperity and expansive influence, now withered.

Etymology

שִׁלֻּחָה is the feminine form of the noun שִׁלּוּחַ (shilluach, H7964), which means 'a sending away' or 'dismissal.' Both derive from the root שָׁלַח (shalach, H7971), meaning 'to send,' 'to stretch out,' or 'to extend.' Thus, the core idea of the word is a 'thing sent out'—in this case, a vine branch that is 'sent out' or extends from the plant. This connects the physical growth to the action of extending or reaching forth.

Semantic Range

While used only once, this word contributes to the rich biblical imagery of the vine and branches, a metaphor for God's people, their fruitfulness, and their dependence (cf. Psalm 80:8-11, John 15:1-8). In Isaiah 16:8, the withered 'shoots' symbolize the judgment that comes upon pride and rebellion, contrasting God's blessing of growth with the curse of decay. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the picture of loss in the prophecy, highlighting how judgment reverses the creative, life-giving act of 'sending forth' growth. In an agrarian society, a vine's shoots represented its vitality, fruitfulness, and territorial spread. A vineyard with long, reaching branches was a sign of health, careful cultivation, and prosperity. The image in Isaiah would immediately convey to an ancient audience the total loss of a valuable economic and cultural asset—the vineyard—thereby powerfully communicating the depth of Moab's coming devastation. זְמוֹרָה (zemorah, H2156) — a more general term for a vine branch or tendril. שִׁלֻּחָה emphasizes the branch as something 'sent out' or extending, while זְמוֹרָה focuses on the branch itself as a pruning or a rod.

Word Details