The Hebrew word shôʻal, represented by H8168, describes the hollow of the hand or a handful. It is derived from an unused root meaning to hollow out. Appearing only 3 times in 3 unique verses, its significance comes from its use in contexts of measurement, value, and scale.
The usage of H8168 varies dramatically across its few appearances. In Isaiah, it is used to depict the immense power of God, who has measured H4058 the waters H4325 in the hollow of his hand Isaiah 40:12. In contrast, King Ben-Hadad H1130 uses it to express contempt, boasting that the dust H6083 of Samaria would not be enough to provide handfuls for his followers 1 Kings 20:10. Finally, in Ezekiel, it signifies a trivial and corrupting payment, as God's name is polluted for handfuls of barley H8184 and pieces H6595 of bread Ezekiel 13:19.
Several related words help frame the meaning of shôʻal in its contexts:
- H6083 ʻâphâr (dust): This word for dust or earth is the substance being measured by handfuls in both God's creative power Isaiah 40:12 and in Ben-Hadad's boast of destruction 1 Kings 20:10.
- H8184 sᵉʻôrâh (barley): This grain is specified as the profane payment offered in handfuls H8168 to corrupt God's people and cause them to lie Ezekiel 13:19.
- H4058 mâdad (measure): This root for measuring is used in the context of God's creative power, where He measured H4058 the waters with the hollow of His hand Isaiah 40:12.
- H6595 path (a bit; meat, morsel, piece): Paired with handfuls of barley, this word emphasizes the small, almost worthless value of the bribe used to pollute H2490 God's name Ezekiel 13:19.
The theological weight of H8168 is found in its contrasting applications.
- Divine Omnipotence: The term is used to establish a scale for God's immeasurable power. He can comprehend all the dust H6083 of the earth H776 and hold all its waters H4325 in the hollow of his hand Isaiah 40:12.
- Human Insignificance and Pride: A handful is used to express both a trivial quantity and great contempt. Ben-Hadad's threat implies his army is so vast that the entirety of Samaria H8111 is less than a handful of dust for each man 1 Kings 20:10.
- The Price of Corruption: The word highlights how small worldly gains can lead to great sin. False prophets pollute H2490 God for mere handfuls H8168 of barley, leading to the death of souls H5315 that should not die H4191 Ezekiel 13:19.
In summary, H8168 is a term whose meaning is defined by its powerful and varied contexts. While literally meaning a handful, it serves as a measure for the infinite power of God, the arrogant boasts of men, and the low value placed on righteousness by the corrupt. It demonstrates how a simple word can convey profound concepts of scale, worth, and the vast difference between the divine and the mortal.
TRV