שָׁלָךְ
𐤔𐤋𐤊
shâlâk
H7994 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A large water bird, specifically a species of bird categorized as unclean in biblical dietary lists, likely referring to either the cormorant or pelican. In biblical contexts, שָׁלָךְ denotes a bird associated with aquatic environments, recognized for its distinctive feeding behavior (diving into water for fish), which led to its categorization as unsuitable for Israelite consumption.
Semantic Range
cormorant, pelican, large aquatic bird; bird forbidden as food in Israelite dietary law; bird known for diving or plunging into water
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁלַךְ (to throw, cast, hurl), likely alluding to the bird’s dramatic diving or plunging motions when hunting. The term is applied to a specific water bird by extension of the root meaning, describing a behavior characteristic of such birds (casting themselves into water after prey). There is no evidence it originally referred to a specific species.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the context of Leviticus 11:17 and Deuteronomy 14:17, שָׁלָךְ is listed among prohibited birds, with uncertainty about its precise modern zoological identification. Ancient versions (Greek, Latin) rendered this term as 'pelican' or a similar large water bird, though the cormorant is also proposed due to its habit of diving or plunging, consonant with the root. The identification remains debated among scholars. English translations historically oscillate between 'pelican' and 'cormorant,' but the textual focus is on a notable aquatic bird, not on post-biblical religious symbolism or later liturgical associations. Its inclusion among unclean birds reflects Israelite dietary boundaries rather than zoological precision. There is no clear evidence that the term שָׁלָךְ referred exclusively to pelicans; thus, both pelican and cormorant are plausible within the semantic scope.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁלַךְ; bird of prey, usually thought to be the pelican (from casting itself into the sea); cormorant.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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שלך (sh-l-k) — to throw, cast, hurl
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7994-01 |
הַ/שָּׁלָ֖ךְ | hashalakhe | HTd/Ncmsa |
cormorant | the plunging waterbird | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7994-01 |
Leviticus 11:17 | הַ/שָּׁלָ֖ךְ | hashalakhe | HTd/Ncmsa |
cormorant | the plunging waterbird |
H7994-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:17 | הַ/שָּׁלָֽךְ | hashalakhe | HTd/Ncmsa |
the cormorant | the plunging waterbird |