The Hebrew word shalleketh, represented by H7995, refers to a felling (of trees) or when cast. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, making its sole usage highly significant. The term is derived from a root meaning "to fell" and is used to describe trees shedding their leaves in a symbolic act of judgment that nevertheless preserves a core of life.
The single appearance of H7995 occurs in Isaiah 6:13. In this passage, a prophecy is given that even after judgment, a remnant—a tenth H6224—will remain and return H7725. This remnant is likened to a teil tree H424 and an oak H437. Even when these trees cast H7995 their leaves, their substance H4678 remains in them. The verse concludes by identifying this substance as the holy seed.
Several related words found in Isaiah 6:13 help to clarify the meaning of H7995:
- H424 ʼêlâh (teil-tree): A type of strong tree, often an oak, used to symbolize endurance. While it is sometimes associated with idolatry Ezekiel 6:13, here it represents the persistent life within the remnant of Israel.
- H4678 matstsebeth (substance): This is what remains in the tree after the felling or casting. The word can also describe a monumental stone or pillar Genesis 35:14, linking the idea of a remnant to a lasting, foundational memorial.
- H2233 zeraʻ (seed): The "substance" left in the tree is explicitly called the "holy seed" Isaiah 6:13. This term is foundational to God's covenant promises concerning posterity Genesis 3:15 and a future spiritual offspring Isaiah 53:10.
The theological weight of H7995 is centered on the biblical doctrine of the remnant.
- Judgment and Preservation: The "casting" of leaves is a metaphor for a divine judgment that strips the nation bare. However, it is not an act of final destruction, as a tenth H6224 is preserved Isaiah 6:13.
- The Holy Remnant: The life that remains in the stump, its substance H4678, is identified as the "holy seed" H2233. This directly connects the process of judgment to the purification and preservation of God's covenant people.
- Promise of Restoration: The image of a tree losing its leaves points not to death, but to a state of dormancy that precedes new life. The substance hidden in the stump guarantees that the people will return H7725 and be restored.
In summary, shalleketh H7995, while used only once, provides a powerful and concise metaphor. It describes a "felling" or "casting" that is not a final end but a necessary act of judgment for the sake of purification and preservation. Through its context in Isaiah 6:13, the word masterfully illustrates the doctrine of the remnant, showing how God maintains a holy seed as the living substance for future restoration, even in the harshest of times.
TRV