The Hebrew word shel, represented by H7945, is a relative term used to indicate cause or sake. It is derived from the relative pronoun ʼăsher H834 and appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, translating to phrases like "on account of" or "for whose cause."
The usage of H7945 is concentrated on establishing causality and reason. In the book of Jonah, it is used first by the mariners who cast lots to determine "for whose cause" a great evil had come upon them Jonah 1:7. Shortly after, Jonah himself uses the term to take responsibility, declaring that the tempest was upon them "for my sake" Jonah 1:12. In Ecclesiastes, it is used to describe the limits of human understanding, noting that even if a man should labour to seek out God's work, he cannot find it Ecclesiastes 8:17.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which shel appears:
- H834 ʼăsher (who, which, what, that): As the relative pronoun from which H7945 is derived, this word establishes the connection or relationship in a clause. It is used in phrases like "that which" to introduce a subject or reason Genesis 22:18.
- H7451 raʻ (bad or (as noun) evil): This term often describes the negative event or state for which a cause is sought. The mariners in Jonah used lots to find the cause of the evil upon them Jonah 1:7.
- H1245 bâqash (to search out): This word for seeking is linked to H7945 in the context of human effort. In Ecclesiastes, a man may labour H5998 to seek out an answer, highlighting the reason for his toil Ecclesiastes 8:17.
The theological weight of H7945 is centered on accountability and divine sovereignty.
- Accountability for Sin: The primary use of H7945 in the book of Jonah establishes a direct link between human action and divine consequence. The sailors search for the "cause" of the evil Jonah 1:7, and Jonah admits it is for his "sake" Jonah 1:12, illustrating the principle of personal responsibility before God.
- The Limits of Human Knowledge: In Ecclesiastes, H7945 is part of a statement on the futility of man's effort to fully comprehend God's work. Though a wise man H2450 may labour to seek it out H1245, he cannot find H4672 it, highlighting God's inscrutable sovereignty Ecclesiastes 8:17.
- Identifying the Source of Calamity: The question "for whose cause" Jonah 1:7 reveals a worldview where significant misfortune has a specific origin. This drives the characters to identify the source of the disruption in order to restore peace, as seen when the sea H3220 becomes calm H8367 after Jonah is cast out.
In summary, shel H7945 is a rare but potent Hebrew word that pinpoints reason and accountability. Though appearing only three times, its usage is critical in the narratives where it is found. It frames the dramatic search for the cause of a life-threatening tempest H5591 in Jonah and underscores the philosophical limits of human inquiry in Ecclesiastes. Ultimately, H7945 serves to connect actions to their consequences, whether it is a person's sin bringing about a storm or a person's labor failing to grasp the full work H4639 of God H430.
TRV