English · KJV
H8217

שָׁפָל

shâphâl /shaw-fawl'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom שָׁפֵל
Meaningdepressed, literally or figuratively
KJV usagebase(-st), humble, low(-er, -ly).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâphâl — 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 shâphâl, represented by H8217, describes something depressed, literally or figuratively. Derived from the root word H8213, it appears 19 times across 18 unique verses. Its meaning ranges from being physically low or lower to being figuratively humble or base.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its figurative sense, H8217 often contrasts a state of humility with pride. A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit are upheld by honour Proverbs 29:23. God Himself, though high, has respect for the lowly Psalms 138:6 and dwells with those of a humble spirit Isaiah 57:15. The term can also denote a state of judgment or disgrace, as when priests are made base for their unfaithfulness Malachi 2:9, or when a nation is destined to become the basest of kingdoms Ezekiel 29:15. Literally, H8217 is used to describe a plague as being visually lower than the skin Leviticus 13:20, a vine of low stature Ezekiel 17:6, or the sound of grinding becoming low Ecclesiastes 12:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the meaning and application of H8217:

  • H8213 shâphêl (to depress or sink): This is the primitive root from which H8217 is derived, signifying the action of making something low. It is often used in direct parallel, where God will bring ... low H8213 the proud while exalting the low H8217 Ezekiel 17:24.
  • H1364 gâbôahh (high, lofty, proud): This word serves as a direct antonym. Scripture frequently contrasts the proud H1364 whom God opposes with the lowly H8217 to whom He shows respect Psalms 138:6.
  • H1793 dakkâʼ (contrite): This term is used alongside H8217 to describe a praiseworthy spiritual state. God promises to dwell with the one who is of a contrite H1793 and humble H8217 spirit in order to revive them Isaiah 57:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8217 is significant, highlighting key aspects of God's character and actions.

  • The Divine Reversal: A central theme involving H8217 is God's practice of overturning human hierarchies. He promises to "exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high" Ezekiel 21:26, and to set up on high those that be low Job 5:11.
  • A Prerequisite for Fellowship: A humble state is presented as a condition for intimacy with God. The Lord, who is "high and lofty," specifically chooses to dwell with those who possess a contrite and humble spirit Isaiah 57:15.
  • A Mark of Judgment: In a negative context, being made low or base is a consequence of disobedience. The kingdom of Egypt is prophesied to become the basest of kingdoms Ezekiel 29:15, and unfaithful priests are made base before the people Malachi 2:9.

Summary

In summary, H8217 is a multifaceted term that moves beyond a simple physical description of lowness. It encapsulates a profound spiritual dynamic, representing both the humble state that God honors and the base condition that results from judgment. The word is fundamental to the biblical principle that God opposes the proud and exalts the lowly, illustrating a core tenet of His relationship with humanity.

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 an adjective and a verb across 19 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.

  • שְׁפָלָה
  • שָׁפָל
  • שְׁפָלִים
  • שְׁפַל
  • שְׁפַל
  • שִׁפְלַת

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.

H8213 שָׁפֵל a primitive root; to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive); abase, bring H1364 גָּבֹהַּ or גָּבוֹהַּ; (fully) from גָּבַהּ; elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant; haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, H1793 דַּכָּא from דָּכָא; crushed (literally powder, or figuratively, contrite); contrite, destruction.

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 18 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (6 verses); never once in the other 30.

4
Leviticus
1
2 Samuel
1
Job
1
Psalms
2
Proverbs
1
Ecclesiastes
1
Isaiah
6
Ezekiel
1
Malachi

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.