The Hebrew word shikkulîym, represented by H7923, is a plural term derived from שָׁכֹל, meaning childlessness (by continued bereavements) or to have children after the loss of others. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, yet it carries a powerful message of restoration and future hope.
The single use of H7923 is found in a prophetic promise in Isaiah 49:20. In this verse, the children born after a period of loss will be so numerous that they will complain of a lack of space. The text states, "The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell" Isaiah 49:20. The word powerfully frames a dramatic reversal from bereavement to overwhelming abundance.
Several related words from its only context in Isaiah 49:20 illuminate its meaning:
- H1121 bên (children): Defined as "a son (as a builder of the family name)," this word highlights the central theme of family and lineage. The promise is not just for people, but for the continuation of the family line after loss.
- H6862 tsar (strait): This word means "narrow" or "a tight place." Its use here signifies that the blessing of new children will be so great that it creates a new "trouble"—a lack of room, contrasting sharply with the previous emptiness of bereavement.
- H3427 yâshab (dwell): Meaning "to sit down... to dwell," this points to the ultimate goal of the children: to settle and inhabit the land. Their presence signifies a secure and established future.
Despite its single occurrence, the theological weight of H7923 is significant. It encapsulates a profound message of divine promise and restoration.
- Reversal of Loss: The core meaning is one of gaining children after bereavement, directly illustrating God's power to turn sorrow into joy and emptiness into fullness.
- Promise of Abundance: The word is used in a context not of mere replacement, but of overwhelming blessing. The future generation is so large that it finds its inherited space too "strait" or narrow Isaiah 49:20.
- Future Hope: Occurring within a prophecy, H7923 serves as a beacon of hope for a people experiencing loss, assuring them that God's plan involves future fruitfulness and a thriving community.
In summary, H7923 shikkulîym is a highly specific and rare term that defines the condition of having children after a period of bereavement. Its solitary appearance in Isaiah 49:20 is pivotal, transforming a word for loss into a symbol of God's restorative promise. It powerfully illustrates the biblical theme of hope, where periods of desolation are not the end but a prelude to an abundance so great it requires more space.
TRV