שָׁכַר

shâkar /shaw-kar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with astimulating drink or (figuratively) influence
KJV usage(be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. (Superlative of שָׁקָה.)
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâkar, represented by H7937, is a primitive root meaning to become tipsy or, in a qualified sense, to be satiated with a stimulating drink. Appearing 19 times in 19 unique verses, it describes the state of being drunk or merry, and is also used figuratively for being overcome by a powerful influence. The word is considered a superlative of H8248 shâqâh, "to drink."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H7937 is used to describe both literal and figurative intoxication. Its earliest literal use is in the account of Noah, who drank wine and was drunken in his tent Genesis 9:21. It is also used when Eli wrongfully accuses Hannah of being drunken 1 Samuel 1:14 and when David purposefully made Uriah drunk 2 Samuel 11:13. In a positive context, it describes the merriment of Joseph's brothers, who were merry with him Genesis 43:34. Figuratively, the term often depicts a state of confusion or helplessness as a result of divine judgment. The Lord declares through Isaiah, "they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink" Isaiah 29:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller understanding of the concept of intoxication in the scriptures:

  • H7941 shêkâr (strong drink): This noun refers to an intensely alcoholic liquor. It is often used to describe the substance that causes the state of being drunk, as in the warning that strong drink is raging Proverbs 20:1 and that people can stagger from it Isaiah 29:9.
  • H3196 yayin (wine): As the most common intoxicating beverage in the Bible, wine is frequently mentioned as the cause of being drunk. It is the wine that Noah drank before he was drunken Genesis 9:21 and the substance from Babylon's cup that made the nations mad Jeremiah 51:7.
  • H8354 shâthâh (to drink): This verb describes the act of imbibing that leads to the state of H7937. It is used in direct parallel in passages like Haggai 1:6, where the people drink, but are not filled with drink.
  • H8248 shâqâh (to quaff, give a drink): This is the root from which H7937 is derived. It signifies the act of providing a drink, as when one gives his neighbor a drink to make him drunken Habakkuk 2:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7937 is significant, primarily as a metaphor for divine judgment and spiritual condition.

  • Metaphor for Divine Judgment: God frequently uses the imagery of making nations drunk to describe His wrath. He vows to make drunk Babylon's princes so they sleep a perpetual sleep Jeremiah 51:57 and to make His arrows drunk with blood Deuteronomy 32:42. This state signifies total defeat, confusion, and the inability to resist God's fury.
  • Spiritual Stupor: The state of being drunken, but not with wine, points to a condition of spiritual blindness and affliction Isaiah 51:21. The people are unable to perceive truth, staggering as if intoxicated due to their spiritual state rather than a physical substance.
  • A Sign of Curse or Blessing: The outcome of drinking is tied to one's relationship with God. As a curse for disobedience, the people drink but are not filled with drink Haggai 1:6. In a context of intimate love and blessing, the call is to drink abundantly and be joyful Song of Solomon 5:1.

Summary

In summary, H7937 extends far beyond the simple meaning of being intoxicated. While it describes literal drunkenness and celebratory merriment, its most profound use is as a powerful biblical metaphor. It illustrates the overwhelming nature of God's judgment that leaves nations helpless, the spiritual blindness that afflicts a disobedient people, and the abundant joy found in a right relationship. The word's usage demonstrates how a physical state can vividly portray profound spiritual realities.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 19 occurrences, inflected in 16 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 4 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 19 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah (5 verses).

2
Genesis
1
Deuteronomy
1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
Song of Solomon
4
Isaiah
5
Jeremiah
1
Lamentations
1
Nahum
1
Habakkuk
1
Haggai

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.