English · KJV
H7972

שְׁלַח

shᵉlach /shel-akh'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁלַח
Meaning(to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications))
KJV usageput, send.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉlach — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word shᵉlach, represented by H7972, means to send away, for, or out in a variety of applications, and can also mean put. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses, primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it describes the dispatch of messengers, decrees, and divine agents.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H7972 is used to illustrate the exercise of authority, both human and divine. Earthly kings send officials to gather their subjects Daniel 3:2 and send letters or answers to communicate their will across their kingdoms (Ezra 4:17, Ezra 5:7). The term is also used when a person is dispatched on an official mission, as when Ezra is sent by the king to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem Ezra 7:14. On a divine level, God sends His angel to deliver the faithful from mortal danger (Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22). In a unique instance, the word describes a hand being sent from God to write a message of judgment on a wall Daniel 5:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide context for the action of sending:

  • H4398 mal'ak (angel): This is the heavenly messenger who is often the one being sent. God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths and deliver his servants (Daniel 6:22, Daniel 3:28).
  • H104 'iggᵉrâ' (letter): This word refers to an official epistle, the physical object being sent by royal couriers. Officials sent a letter to King Darius to report on the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem Ezra 5:6.
  • H7804 shᵉzab (deliver): This word often describes the purpose for which an agent is sent. God sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him Daniel 3:28.
  • H6600 pithgâm (answer, letter, matter, word): This term refers to the message or decree that is sent. A king sent an answer to his officials in Samaria Ezra 4:17.

Theological Significance

The use of H7972 carries significant thematic weight, particularly in demonstrating how power is enacted.

  • Royal and Imperial Communication: The word is fundamental to the administrative functions of the Persian empire depicted in Ezra and the Babylonian empire in Daniel. Kings send decrees, letters, and officials to exert their authority over vast distances (Ezra 6:13, Daniel 3:2).
  • Divine Intervention and Sovereignty: The word highlights God's direct involvement in human affairs. He is the one who ultimately sends supernatural help to rescue those who are faithful to Him, demonstrating that His authority surpasses that of any earthly king (Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22).
  • Delegated Authority: Being sent implies carrying the authority of the sender. When Ezra is sent by King Artaxerxes, he acts with the king's backing Ezra 7:14. This concept underscores the importance of mission and commission in the biblical narrative.

Summary

In summary, H7972 is a verb of action and authority. While it can denote the simple act of dispatching a message or person, its context in Ezra and Daniel elevates it to a key term for understanding the execution of power. It illustrates the chain of command in earthly empires and, more profoundly, the active, saving power of God, who sends His agents to intervene on behalf of His people.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • שְׁלַח
  • יִשְׁלַח
  • שְׁלַחוּ
  • שְׁלִיַחַ
  • שְׁלַחְנָא
  • שְׁלַחְתּוּן

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4398 מַלְאַךְ (Aramaic) corresponding to מֲלְאָךְ; an angel; angel. H104 אִגְּרָא (Aramaic) of Persian origin; an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman); letter. H7804 שְׁזַב (Aramaic) corresponding to עָזַב; to leave, i.e. (causatively) free; deliver. H6600 פִּתְגָּם (Aramaic) corresponding to פִּתְגָּם; a word, answer, letter or decree; answer, letter, matter, word.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezra (10 verses); never once in the other 37.

10
Ezra
4
Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.