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שָׁקַד

𐤔𐤒𐤃

shâqad

H8246 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שקד to watch, to be vigilant, to be alert

Definition

To watch, to be alert or vigilant; in later Hebrew also to be diligent. The verb primarily describes awake, conscious watchfulness with the sense of remaining alert or attentive, whether for a task, an event, or a purpose. It can also denote care or persistent attention. The intensive or causative sense is rarely used, where it may mean 'to cause to be alert' or 'to be persistent in watching.'

Semantic Range

to keep watch, to be watchful or vigilant, to be wakeful, to be diligently attentive, to be actively alert, to show persistent care

Root / Etymology

Root שקד (ש-ק-ד), meaning 'to watch, be alert, be wakeful.' The denominative link to שָׁקֵד (almond tree) is based on the almond tree's early blooming, regarded by ancient Israelites as a symbol of watchfulness or early action. The connection is by wordplay rather than etymology: the noun שָׁקֵד (almond) and the verb שָׁקַד (to watch) sound alike and are related symbolically in Jeremiah 1:11-12, but the verb's sense predates or exists independently of the botanical term.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In pre-exilic texts, שָׁקַד describes personal or divine vigilance (e.g., Jeremiah 1:12, where God is 'watching' over His word). The Jeremiah passage uses wordplay between שָׁקֵד (almond) and שָׁקַד (to watch), reflecting the early blossoming of the almond as a metaphor for God's prompt action. Throughout biblical literature, the verb's basic sense is consistent—alert watching, attentive care, responsiveness to circumstances. English translations often narrow the meaning to 'to watch' or 'to be watchful,' but the Hebrew conveys a stronger sense of wakefulness and active expectation. In later Hebrew (e.g., post-biblical literature), the root can have extended senses such as diligence or persistent effort, though these are not as prominent in biblical usage. The denominative derivation ('to make almond-shaped') suggested in some older lexicons is not supported by textual examples in the Hebrew Bible: every biblical occurrence of שָׁקַד follows the primary meaning of watching or vigilance, not shape or likeness. Distinct from other Hebrew roots for 'watch' (e.g., שמר, to guard; צפה, to look out or scout) by its focus on attentiveness and wakefulness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a denominative from שָׁקֵד; to be (intensively, make) almond-shaped; make like (unto, after the fashion of) almonds.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שקד (š-q-d) — watching, vigilance, alertness, wakeful attentiveness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8244 שָׂקַד was securely fastened
H8245 שָׁקַד he will keep watch
H8247 שָׁקֵד almonds

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8246-01 מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים meshuqadim HVPsmpa made like almonds vigilantly watched ones 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8246-01 Exodus 25:33 מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים meshuqadim HVPsmpa made like almonds vigilantly watched ones
H8246-01 Exodus 25:33 מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים meshuqadim-2 HVPsmpa made like almonds vigilantly watched ones
H8246-01 Exodus 25:34 מְשֻׁקָּדִ֔ים meshuqadim HVPsmpa shaped-like-almond-blossoms vigilantly watched ones
H8246-01 Exodus 37:19 מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים meshuqadim HVPsmpa shaped like almonds vigilantly watched ones
H8246-01 Exodus 37:19 מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים meshuqadim-2 HVPsmpa shaped like almonds vigilantly watched ones
H8246-01 Exodus 37:20 מְשֻׁ֨קָּדִ֔ים meshuqadim HVPsmpa shaped-like-almonds vigilantly watched ones
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