Word Study for H7973 (שֶׁלַח)

shelach /sheh'-lakh/ Ask about this word

Meaninga missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch

KJV usagedart, plant, sword, weapon.

Idioms & phrasesidiom put off

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 Hebrew word shelach, represented by H7973, carries a dual meaning as both a "missile of attack" and a "shoot of growth." Appearing 8 times in 8 unique verses, its definition encompasses terms like dart, plant, sword, and weapon. This versatility allows it to be used in contexts of both conflict and creation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its primary application, H7973 refers to a weapon used for defense or as an instrument of judgment. During the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, workers held a weapon in one hand while laboring with the other Nehemiah 4:17. It is also used for the darts King Hezekiah made in abundance to fortify the city 2 Chronicles 32:5. In Job, it appears as a sword that brings about perishing as a consequence for those who do not obey God Job 36:12, and from which God can keep a soul back Job 33:18. In a striking contrast, the word is used figuratively in Song of Solomon to describe plants in a beautiful orchard Song of Solomon 4:13. A unique idiomatic use appears in Nehemiah, where it means to "put off" clothes for washing Nehemiah 4:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a deeper understanding of the contexts in which shelach is used:

H1129 bânâh (to build): This word is central to the passages in Nehemiah and 2 Chronicles where shelach is a defensive weapon. It means "to build (literally and figuratively)" and is used in passages about building a house for the LORD Psalms 127:1 or building up a ruined city Jeremiah 30:18.
H2388 châzaq (to be strong, fortify): Often appearing alongside H7973, this word means to "fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong... fortify." It describes how the builders would hold their weapons Nehemiah 4:17 and how Hezekiah strengthened himself and his city's defenses 2 Chronicles 32:5.
H5674 ʻâbar (to perish, pass over): This term describes the fatal outcome associated with the "sword." It means "to cross over; used very widely of any transition." In Job, those who disobey God will perish by the sword Job 36:12, and God can keep a life from perishing by it Job 33:18.
H5307 nâphal (to fall): This word describes the action associated with a weapon. It means "to fall, in a great variety of applications." An army can fall upon the sword in battle Joel 2:8, connecting the weapon to its direct consequence.

Theological Significance

The use of H7973 carries several key themes in Scripture:

Armament and Defense: The word is used for physical weapons like darts and swords, highlighting the practical need for readiness and the active defense of God's people and their work (Nehemiah 4:17, 2 Chronicles 32:5).
Instrument of Judgment: In a moral context, the "sword" represents the fatal consequence of disobedience Job 36:12. It also signifies the peril from which God, in His mercy, can deliver a person's soul and life Job 33:18.
Symbol of Fruitful Growth: In a powerful figurative shift, the word moves from conflict to creation. As "plants," it helps to describe a beautiful and pleasant orchard, symbolizing life, beauty, and fruitfulness Song of Solomon 4:13.

Summary

In summary, shelach H7973 is a multifaceted term that encapsulates starkly contrasting ideas. While its appearances are infrequent, they are significant, portraying concepts ranging from military preparedness and divine judgment to the beauty of a thriving garden. The word illustrates how biblical Hebrew can use a single term to convey ideas of both destruction and life, conflict and peace.

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 noun across 8 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

שָּׁלַח
שִׁלְח
שְׁלָחַיִ

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 8 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, and Job (2 verses each); never once in the other 34.

2 Chronicles

Nehemiah

Job

Song of Solomon

Joel

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.