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שָׁלַף

𐤔𐤋𐤐

shâlaph

H8025 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שלף to pull out, to draw forth, to extract

Definition

To pull out or draw forth, especially with the meaning of extracting or removing something that is embedded, fitted, or sheathed; used primarily for drawing out weapons (such as swords), pulling off footwear, or otherwise removing an object from its place. More generally, to remove, take out, or extract in various contexts.

Semantic Range

to draw out (a sword), to pull off (a sandal or shoe), to extract an object from its place, to pull up, to pluck off

Root / Etymology

Root: שׁ־ל־ף (שָׁלַף). The root carries the basic sense of pulling out or drawing something from its place, especially something inserted or sheathed. The verb is a primary root in Hebrew and not derived from another stem.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁלַף predominantly appears in contexts involving the physical removal of an object from an enclosure — notably drawing a sword from its sheath (e.g. Numbers 22:23, Judges 3:22), pulling off the sandal in a legal transaction (Ruth 4:7–8), or removing something from its place. This verb is almost always concrete and physical, rarely used metaphorically. Its semantic range overlaps with verbs for taking or removing (e.g., לָקַח, 'to take'), but שָׁלַף always emphasizes the act of extraction, often with a sense of drawing out of concealment or containment. In the context of Ruth 4, where a sandal is removed as a legal gesture, the term is tied to societal customs. In military or narrative contexts, it often marks a moment of imminent action (e.g., weapon drawn ahead of combat). English translations ('draw,' 'pull out,' 'pluck off') generally capture the main sense, though some nuance may be lost in non-weapon contexts. The verb does not bear significant theological loading; its primary function is descriptive of a specific action. No substantial semantic shift is observed across biblical periods. Contrast with תָּלַשׁ ('to tear off, pluck'), which implies a more forceful or destructive removal, while שָׁלַף implies a drawing out without necessary violence.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to pull out, up or off; draw (off), grow up, pluck off.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שלף (sh-l-p) — to pull out, to draw forth, to extract

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8026 שֶׁלֶף Drawn-Out One

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8025-04 שֹׁ֥לֵֽף sholef HVqrmsa drawing the one drawing out 10
H8025-01 שָׁלַ֛ף shalaf HVqp3ms it is plucked he pulled out 5
H8025-03 שְׁלוּפָה֙ shelufah HVqsfsa drawn pulled-out one 4
H8025-02 שְׁלֹ֤ף shelof HVqv2ms Draw Pull out! 3
H8025-07 וַ/יִּשְׁלֹ֖ף vayishelof HC/Vqw3ms And he drew off he drew out 1
H8025-06 וַֽ/יִּשְׁלְפָ֤/הּ vayishelefah HC/Vqw3ms/Sp3fs and drew it and he drew her out 1
H8025-05 שֹׁ֥לְפֵי sholefey HVqrmpc drawers of those drawing out of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8025-03 Numbers 22:23 שְׁלוּפָה֙ shelufah HVqsfsa drawn pulled-out one
H8025-03 Numbers 22:31 שְׁלֻפָ֖ה shelufah HVqsfsa drawn pulled-out one
H8025-03 Joshua 5:13 שְׁלוּפָ֖ה shelufah HVqsfsa drawn pulled-out one
H8025-01 Judges 3:22 שָׁלַ֛ף shalaf HVqp3ms he drew he pulled out
H8025-04 Judges 8:10 שֹׁ֥לֵֽף sholef HVqrmsa drawing the one drawing out
H8025-01 Judges 8:20 שָׁלַ֨ף shalaf HVqp3ms drew he pulled out
H8025-02 Judges 9:54 שְׁלֹ֤ף shelof HVqv2ms Draw Pull out!
H8025-04 Judges 20:2 שֹׁ֥לֵֽף sholef HVqrmsa drawn the one drawing out
H8025-04 Judges 20:15 שֹׁ֣לֵֽף sholef HVqrmsa who draw the one drawing out
H8025-04 Judges 20:17 שֹׁ֣לֵֽף sholef HVqrmsa who drew the one drawing out
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