שִׁכָּרוֹן
𐤔𐤊𐤓𐤅𐤍
shikkârôwn
H7943 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of intoxication; the condition of being drunk, especially as the result of consuming fermented drink. The term denotes not only having consumed alcohol, but the behavioral or existential condition that arises from excessive consumption — such as confusion, loss of control, or stupefaction. Used as a substantive rather than directly describing a person, it emphasizes the state itself, sometimes in a metaphorical sense to indicate confusion or moral/spiritual derangement.
Semantic Range
intoxication, drunkenness, state of being drunk, confusion, stupefaction (literal or figurative); metaphorical confusion or loss of discernment resulting from divine judgment
Root / Etymology
From the root שכר, which broadly means 'to become drunk, to be intoxicated'. שִׁכָּרוֹן is a noun form derived from this root, denoting the state or condition resulting from intoxication. This form emphasizes the result or manifestation of drinking rather than the act itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term שִׁכָּרוֹן primarily appears in poetic or prophetic contexts to denote the state of intoxication, both literal and metaphorical. In prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah), שִׁכָּרוֹן can be used figuratively for divine judgment or stupefaction brought upon nations — not limited solely to the result of wine or strong drink, but sometimes the confusion and loss of discernment as an act of YHWH. In narrative or legal sections שלתה rarely appears. In later biblical Hebrew, the term remains focused on the condition or outcome, distinguishing it from שֵׁכָר (shekhar, 'strong drink'), which refers to the substance. Standard English translations use 'drunkenness' or 'intoxication,' but these may not fully capture the nuanced biblical usage, especially when confusion or judgment is central.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁכַר; intoxication; (be) drunken(-ness).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שכר (sh-k-r) — to become drunk, to be intoxicated, to drink to excess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3485 | יִשָּׂשכָר | in Reward-bringer |
| H4909 | מַשְׂכֹּרֶת | your compensation |
| H7910 | שִׁכּוֹר | drunken one |
| H7916 | שָׂכִיר | as a wage-earner |
| H7917 | שְׂכִירָה | the hire-wage |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7943-02 |
שִׁכָּרֽוֹן | shikaron | HNcmsa |
drunkenness | state of intoxication | 2 |
H7943-01 |
לְ/שִׁכָּר֑וֹן | leshikaron | HR/Ncmsa |
till you are drunk | to intoxication | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7943-02 |
Jeremiah 13:13 | שִׁכָּרֽוֹן | shikaron | HNcmsa |
drunkenness | state of intoxication |
H7943-02 |
Ezekiel 23:33 | שִׁכָּר֥וֹן | shikaron | HNcmsa |
drunkenness | state of intoxication |
H7943-01 |
Ezekiel 39:19 | לְ/שִׁכָּר֑וֹן | leshikaron | HR/Ncmsa |
till you are drunk | to intoxication |