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שֻׁלְחָן

𐤔𐤋𐤇𐤍

shulchân

H7979 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A piece of furniture used for placing objects, especially food, functioning as a table. In most biblical contexts, שֻׁלְחָן refers to a surface or platform on which food is placed for eating, but the term is also used for special tables, such as those found in the sanctuary for ritual purposes. While the primary sense remains a table as a physical object, it can occasionally serve as a metonym for shared meals or hospitality, and in rare instances, for ritual service.

Semantic Range

table for meals, household table, ritual table for offerings in sanctuary or temple, platform for showbread, metonym for meals or food provision, (rarely) symbol of hospitality or divine provision

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁלַח (to send, stretch out, extend). The form שֻׁלְחָן derives as a noun that originally probably indicated something that is spread out or extended, hence a 'spread surface'—a table. Over time, the specific meaning of a table for meals or offerings emerges, with possible sense development from the idea of an object that is 'extended' or 'spread.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שֻׁלְחָן appears in both domestic and ritual contexts. In everyday usage, it refers to tables for eating, as in household settings (1 Sam 20:29; Ps 23:5), but it also appears in ritual settings, most notably the table for the 'bread of presence' (Leviticus, Exodus). In such cultic contexts, שֻׁלְחָן denotes a large, often ornate, platform for presenting offerings, such as showbread in the tabernacle or temple. Unlike later, more generalized table terminology, שֻׁלְחָן does not necessarily imply chairs; meals might be consumed while reclining or seated on the floor around the table. In poetic and prophetic passages, שֻׁלְחָן may also connote divine provision and abundance or, conversely, be associated with defilement and lack (Mal 1:7, Ezek 23:41). Some English translations occasionally obscure the possible ritual significance of the term, especially in cultic texts, translating it simply as 'table.' In rabbinic Hebrew, שֻׁלְחָן retains both profane and ritual senses and becomes central in imagery describing the home or communal meal. The term is distinct from מַטְעָר (matˁar, 'table' as in platform), designating more generally constructed or elevated surfaces. Later Greco-Roman influence on domestic life gradually introduced fixed tables and seating, but in most biblical usage, שֻׁלְחָן implies a movable, relatively low surface.

Translation Consistency

primary "table" 43 occurrences

Most common and natural English equivalent for שֻׁלְחָן across contexts. 'Table' accurately covers household meal tables and ritual tables (showbread/altar-like surfaces) and can naturally support metonymic uses (meals, hospitality, provision). It is simple, widely understood, and matches the majority of existing renderings.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"extended table-surface" (7x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁלַח; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal; table.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

שלח (Shilocha) — to send, stretch out, extend

Root שלח to send, stretch out, extend
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4916 מִשְׁלוֹחַ for sending-forth of
H7964 שִׁלּוּחַ her sendings-away
H7971 שָׁלַח I will dispatch
H7972 שְׁלַח Sent-One
H7973 שֶׁלַח with the spear

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7979-01 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֗ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table 23
H7979-06 שֻׁלְחַ֥ן shulechan HNcmsc table extended table-surface extended table-surface 13
H7979-12 שֻׁלְחָנוֹת֮ shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables 10
H7979-10 שֻׁלְחָנִ֖/י shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table 7
H7979-09 שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑/ךָ shulechanekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your table your spread-out table your table 3
H7979-14 וְ/שֻׁלְחָ֑ן veshulechan HC/Ncmsa and a table extended table-surface and a table 3
H7979-02 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָנ֔וֹת hashulechanot HTd/Ncmpa the tables the spread-out tables the tables 2
H7979-05 לְ/שֻׁלְחֲנ֥וֹת leshulechanot HR/Ncmpc for the tables for spread-surfaces of for spread-surfaces of 2
H7979-11 שֻׁלְחָנ֡/וֹ shulechano HNcmsc/Sp3ms of his table his spread-out table his table 2
H7979-13 וְ/הַ֨/שֻּׁלְחָ֔ן vehashulechan HC/Td/Ncmsa and the table and the spread-out table and the spread-out table 2

Occurrences in Scripture

71 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7979-06 Exodus 25:23 שֻׁלְחָ֖ן shulechan HNcmsa a table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-01 Exodus 25:27 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָֽן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 25:28 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָֽן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 25:30 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֛ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 26:35 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 26:35 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֔ן hashulechan-2 HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-13 Exodus 26:35 וְ/הַ֨/שֻּׁלְחָ֔ן vehashulechan HC/Td/Ncmsa and the table and the spread-out table and the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 30:27 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 31:8 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 35:13 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֥ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 37:10 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֖ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 37:14 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָֽן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 37:15 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָֽן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 37:16 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֗ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 39:36 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 40:4 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֔ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 40:22 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Exodus 40:24 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֑ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-01 Leviticus 24:6 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֥ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-13 Numbers 3:31 וְ/הַ/שֻּׁלְחָן֙ vehashulechan HC/Td/Ncmsa and the table and the spread-out table and the spread-out table
H7979-06 Numbers 4:7 שֻׁלְחַ֣ן shulechan HNcmsc the table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-10 Judges 1:7 שֻׁלְחָנִ֔/י shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table
H7979-06 1 Samuel 20:29 שֻׁלְחַ֖ן shulechan HNcmsc the table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-01 1 Samuel 20:34 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֖ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-10 2 Samuel 9:7 שֻׁלְחָנִ֖/י shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table
H7979-10 2 Samuel 9:10 שֻׁלְחָנִ֑/י shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table
H7979-10 2 Samuel 9:11 שֻׁלְחָנִ֔/י shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table
H7979-06 2 Samuel 9:13 שֻׁלְחַ֥ן shulechan HNcmsc the table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-09 2 Samuel 19:29 שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑/ךָ shulechanekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your table your spread-out table your table
H7979-09 1 Kings 2:7 שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑/ךָ shulechanekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your-table your spread-out table your table
H7979-06 1 Kings 5:7 שֻׁלְחַ֥ן shulechan HNcmsc table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-01 1 Kings 7:48 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֗ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-11 1 Kings 10:5 שֻׁלְחָנ֡/וֹ shulechano HNcmsc/Sp3ms of his table his spread-out table his table
H7979-01 1 Kings 13:20 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֑ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-06 1 Kings 18:19 שֻׁלְחַ֥ן shulechan HNcmsc table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-14 2 Kings 4:10 וְ/שֻׁלְחָ֖ן veshulechan HC/Ncmsa and a table extended table-surface and a table
H7979-01 Isaiah 21:5 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָ֛ן hashulechan HTd/Ncmsa the table the spread-out table the spread-out table
H7979-12 Isaiah 28:8 שֻׁלְחָנ֔וֹת shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-06 Isaiah 65:11 שֻׁלְחָ֔ן shulechan HNcmsa table extended table-surface extended table-surface
H7979-14 Ezekiel 23:41 וְ/שֻׁלְחָ֥ן veshulechan HC/Ncmsa and a table extended table-surface and a table
H7979-10 Ezekiel 39:20 שֻׁלְחָנִ/י֙ shulechani HNcmsc/Sp1cs my table my table my table
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:39 שֻׁלְחָנוֹת֙ shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:39 שֻׁלְחָנ֖וֹת shulechanot-2 HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:40 שֻׁלְחָנ֑וֹת shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:40 שֻׁלְחָנֽוֹת shulechanot-2 HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:41 שֻׁלְחָנ֜וֹת shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:41 שֻׁלְחָנ֛וֹת shulechanot-2 HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:41 שֻׁלְחָנ֖וֹת shulechanot-3 HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-12 Ezekiel 40:42 שֻׁלְחָנ֨וֹת shulechanot HNcmpa tables spread-out tables tables
H7979-02 Ezekiel 40:43 הַ/שֻּׁלְחָנ֖וֹת hashulechanot HTd/Ncmpa the-tables the spread-out tables the tables
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