active participle from a primitive root meaning to leave (compare שְׁבַק); forsaking; Shobek, an Israelite; Shobek.
Transliteration:Shôwbêq
Pronunciation:sho-bake'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma שׁוֹבֵק (Shôwbêq), designated as `{{H7733}}`, functions as a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its etymological root is derived from a primitive verbal root meaning "to leave" or "to forsake." As an active participle, the name itself carries the sense of "one who forsakes" or "one who leaves." This root is closely related to the Aramaic שְׁבַק (shĕbaq, `{{H7662}}`), which also conveys the meaning "to leave, to forsake, or to permit." While שׁוֹבֵק itself does not exhibit a broad semantic range as a common noun or verb, its significance lies in the inherent meaning of its root, which points to the act of abandonment or departure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name שׁוֹבֵק (`{{H7733}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Nehemiah: [[Nehemiah 10:25]]. In this passage, Shobek is listed among the leaders of the people who affixed their seals to the covenant document in the days of Nehemiah. This covenant was a solemn agreement to walk in God's law, to obey His commandments, and to avoid intermarriage with foreign peoples, as well as to uphold various religious duties such as temple support and tithing. The context is one of national repentance, renewal, and a collective commitment to faithfulness to the Lord. The presence of a name meaning "forsaking" within a list of individuals who are actively *committing* to God's covenant creates a striking juxtaposition, highlighting a potential tension or irony inherent in the very act of human covenant-making.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for שׁוֹבֵק (`{{H7733}}`) is the Aramaic verb שְׁבַק (`{{H7662}}`), which shares the core meaning of "to leave" or "to forsake." This connection underscores the common Semitic root for the concept. Other significant Hebrew verbs that convey the idea of "leaving" or "forsaking" include:
* עָזַב (ʿāzav, `{{H5800}}`): A very common verb meaning "to leave, abandon, forsake," often used in the context of forsaking God, His law, or one's people.
* נָטַשׁ (nāṭash, `{{H5203}}`): "To leave, abandon, cast off," frequently describing the abandonment of a place or a person.
* רָפָה (rāphah, `{{H7503}}`): "To sink down, relax, let go, abandon," often implying a slackening of effort or resolve.
The theological concepts related to שׁוֹבֵק (`{{H7733}}`) thus extend to faithfulness, loyalty, commitment, and their antitheses: apostasy, abandonment, and spiritual neglect.
### Theological Significance
The unique occurrence of שׁוֹבֵק (`{{H7733}}`) in the list of covenant-signers in Nehemiah carries profound theological weight. The name, meaning "one who forsakes," stands in stark contrast to the very act of sealing a covenant with God, which is an ultimate expression of commitment and non-forsaking. This tension can be interpreted in several ways:
1. **Human Frailty and God's Grace:** The inclusion of such a name might serve as a subtle reminder of the inherent human propensity to stray and to forsake, even among those who publicly commit to God. It underscores that God's covenant is made with imperfect people, and His grace is extended despite their potential for unfaithfulness.
2. **The Nature of Covenant:** The covenant itself is a binding act designed to counteract the human tendency to "forsake." By entering into it, the people actively choose to *not* forsake God, His law, or their community, thereby striving to live contrary to the negative implications of such a name.
3. **A Call to Vigilance:** For the reader, the name Shobek might function as a quiet admonition or a cautionary note within the narrative of renewal. It implicitly challenges the community (and subsequent generations) to remain vigilant against the temptation to abandon the very commitments they have so solemnly undertaken.
The name, therefore, does not necessarily imply a personal character flaw in the individual Shobek, but rather serves as a poignant theological echo within the broader narrative of Israel's relationship with God – a relationship continually marked by cycles of commitment and defection.
### Summary
שׁוֹבֵק (`{{H7733}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "one who forsakes" or "one who leaves," derived from a root shared with the Aramaic שְׁבַק (`{{H7662}}`). Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Nehemiah 10:25]], where Shobek is listed among those who sealed the solemn covenant with God. The tension between the name's etymological meaning and the act of covenant-making highlights the paradox of human commitment in the face of inherent human fallibility. The name serves as a subtle theological reminder of the constant need for vigilance against spiritual abandonment and underscores God's persistent grace in calling a people who, despite their propensities, are invited into a binding relationship of faithfulness.
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