The Hebrew name Shîyshaq, represented by H7895, identifies an Egyptian king. It appears 7 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. His narrative role is primarily as a foreign ruler whose actions directly impact the kingdoms of Israel and Judah during the reigns of Solomon and Rehoboam.
In the biblical narrative, H7895 first appears as a protector, offering refuge in Egypt H4714 to Jeroboam H3379 when he fled H1272 from King Solomon H8010 1 Kings 11:40. Later, in the fifth year of the reign of king H4428 Rehoboam H7346, Shishak H7895 came up H5927 against Jerusalem H3389 because the people had transgressed H4603 against the LORD H3068 (1 Kings 14:25, 2 Chronicles 12:2). As a result of this invasion, he took away H3947 the treasures H214 of the house H1004 of the LORD and the king's H4428 house H1004, including the shields H4043 of gold H2091 made by Solomon H8010 2 Chronicles 12:9.
Several related figures and terms are central to the narrative of Shishak H7895:
- H4428 melek (a king): This title is always attached to Shishak H7895, defining his role as the king of Egypt H4714 who interacts with the kings of Israel (1 Kings 11:40, 2 Chronicles 12:9).
- H7346 Rᵉchabʻâm (Rehoboam): As the king H4428 of Judah H3063, his reign is the setting for Shishak's invasion, which occurred in his fifth year because he and his people transgressed H4603 against the LORD 2 Chronicles 12:2.
- H3379 Yârobʻâm (Jeroboam): His story provides the first mention of Shishak H7895, who gave him refuge when he fled H1272 from Solomon H8010 until Solomon's death H4194 1 Kings 11:40.
The theological weight of Shishak's appearance in scripture is significant.
- Instrument of God's Hand: Shishak's attack is framed as divine judgment. The prophet Shemaiah H8098 declared that because Judah had forsaken H5800 the LORD H3068, God had in turn left them in the hand H3027 of Shishak H7895 2 Chronicles 12:5.
- Judgment for Transgression: The invasion is presented not as a random political act but as a direct consequence of sin. The text states that Shishak H7895 came up H5927 against Jerusalem H3389 "because they had transgressed H4603 against the LORD" 2 Chronicles 12:2.
- Catalyst for Mercy: Shishak's threat prompted the leaders of Judah H3063 to humble H3665 themselves. In response, the LORD promised not to destroy H7843 them, granting "some deliverance" H6413 so that His wrath H2534 would not be fully poured out H5413 by Shishak's hand H3027 2 Chronicles 12:7.
In summary, Shîyshaq H7895 is portrayed as more than just a historical foreign king H4428. He is an integral figure in the biblical account of judgment and mercy. From providing refuge to Jeroboam H3379 to plundering Jerusalem H3389 during the reign of Rehoboam H7346, his actions serve as a demonstration of God's response to both transgression and humility. The narrative uses Shishak to illustrate that the LORD can use foreign powers to enact His purposes.
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