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שֶׁקֶר

𐤔𐤒𐤓

sheqer

H8267 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שקר to be false, to deal falsely, to lie

Definition

A falsehood; something that is objectively untrue or deceptive, whether in speech, action, or appearance. The noun שֶׁקֶר primarily denotes a deliberate statement or assertion that does not align with reality, often with intent to mislead or deceive. In a broader sense, it encompasses any form of deceit or falseness, including misleading claims, fraudulent actions, and vain promises.

Semantic Range

lie, falsehood, untruth, deceit, fraud, perjury, false report, empty or vain claim, insincere promise, sham, something lacking truth or substance

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁקר, meaning 'to be false, to deal falsely, to lie.' The noun שֶׁקֶר is the standard nominal form drawn from this root, designating the substance or result of falsehood or deception.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שֶׁקֶר is the primary biblical Hebrew term for 'lie,' but its semantic range includes both explicit verbal untruth and broader forms of deceit or fraud. In legal, prophetic, and wisdom contexts, שֶׁקֶר often denotes perjury, false testimony, and idolatrous claims. The term is frequently paired with אֱמֶת ('truth') to create a sharp ethical dichotomy. In contrast to מִרְמָה (mirmah, 'deceit, guile'), שֶׁקֶר typically focuses on explicit falsehood, whereas מִרְמָה emphasizes cunning or craftiness. Over time, שֶׁקֶר retained its primary sense but its usage broadened in post-biblical Hebrew to include insincere promises or empty words. English translations such as 'lie,' 'falsehood,' or 'deceit' generally convey the meaning but may miss nuances inherent in legal or prophetic denunciations. In the prophetic period, שֶׁקֶר is often used to characterize false prophets and misleading visions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁקַר; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial); without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

שקר (sh-q-r) — to be false, to lie, to deal falsely

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8266 שָׁקַר I will speak falsely

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8267-11 שֶׁ֖קֶר sheqer HNcmsa falsehood falsehood 52
H8267-09 שָֽׁקֶר shaqer HNcmsa of lying falsehood 35
H8267-08 לַ/שֶּׁקֶר֒ lasheqer HRd/Ncmsa falsely to the falsehood 6
H8267-10 שְׁקָרִ֑ים sheqarim HNcmpa false falsehoods 4
H8267-07 לַ/שָּׁ֑קֶר lashaqer HRd/Ncmsa to-lie to the falsehood 4
H8267-01 בַּ/שָּֽׁקֶר bashaqer HRd/Ncmsa falsely in the falsehood 2
H8267-13 בַ/שֶּׁ֗קֶר vasheqer HRd/Ncmsa and falsehood falsehood 2
H8267-05 הַ/שָּׁ֑קֶר hashaqer HTd/Ncmsa lies the falsehood 2
H8267-12 וּ/בַ/שֶּׁ֥קֶר uvasheqer HC/Rd/Ncmsa and under falsehood and in the falsehood 1
H8267-03 בְּ/שֶׁ֖קֶר besheqer HR/Ncmsa in falsehood in falsehood 1

Occurrences in Scripture

113 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8267-09 Exodus 5:9 שָֽׁקֶר shaqer HNcmsa falsehood falsehood
H8267-09 Exodus 20:16 שָֽׁקֶר shaqer HNcmsa false falsehood
H8267-11 Exodus 23:7 שֶׁ֖קֶר sheqer HNcmsa of falsehood falsehood
H8267-09 Leviticus 5:22 שָׁ֑קֶר shaqer HNcmsa a lie falsehood
H8267-08 Leviticus 5:24 לַ/שֶּׁקֶר֒ lasheqer HRd/Ncmsa falsely to the falsehood
H8267-07 Leviticus 19:12 לַ/שָּׁ֑קֶר lashaqer HRd/Ncmsa falsely to the falsehood
H8267-11 Deuteronomy 19:18 שֶׁ֨קֶר֙ sheqer HNcmsa false falsehood
H8267-11 Deuteronomy 19:18 שֶׁ֖קֶר sheqer-2 HNcmsa false falsehood
H8267-08 1 Samuel 25:21 לַ/שֶּׁ֨קֶר lasheqer HRd/Ncmsa in vain to the falsehood
H8267-11 2 Samuel 18:13 שֶׁ֔קֶר sheqer HNcmsa falsely falsehood
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