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H8245

שָׁקַד

shâqad /shaw-kad'/ Ask about this word
a primitive root
to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâqad — 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 shâqad, represented by H8245, signifies a state of alertness or sleeplessness. It appears 12 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. Its core meaning is to be on the lookout, which can be for a positive purpose (for good) or a negative one (for ill), and can be translated as to hasten, remain, wake, or watch.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H8245 is used to describe both divine and human vigilance. The LORD is depicted as watching over His people for judgment, as when a leopard is said to watch over their cities due to their transgressions Jeremiah 5:6, or when He promises to watch over them for evil and not for good Jeremiah 44:27. Conversely, God also watches over them for restoration, promising to watch over them to build and to plant Jeremiah 31:28. He is also said to hasten His word to perform it Jeremiah 1:12. For humans, the term describes the diligence required to gain wisdom by watching daily at wisdom's gates Proverbs 8:34, as well as the solemn duty to watch over sacred items Ezra 8:29.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of vigilance and its context:

  • H8104 shâmar (to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.): This word is often used alongside shâqad to emphasize a comprehensive state of vigilance. For instance, without the LORD to keep (shâmar) the city, the watchman (shâmar) waketh (shâqad) in vain Psalms 127:1. It also appears as a command to Watch ye (shâqad), and keep (shâmar) them Ezra 8:29.
  • H1129 bânâh (to build (literally and figuratively)): This root is used in direct contrast to destructive actions, both of which are under God's watchful eye. God states that just as He has watched over them to pluck up and destroy, so will He watch over them to build and to plant Jeremiah 31:28.
  • H120 ʼâdâm (ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)): The act of watching for wisdom is portrayed as a blessing for any man. The text states, "Blessed is the man (ʼâdâm) that heareth me, watching (shâqad) daily at my gates" Proverbs 8:34.
  • H1406 gâg (a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar): This word provides a physical location for the act of watching, often suggesting isolation. The psalmist expresses his loneliness by saying, "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top (gâg)" Psalms 102:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8245 is significant, highlighting God's active involvement in the world.

  • Sovereign Alertness for Judgment and Blessing: The word underscores God's active, sleepless oversight of human affairs. He is shown to watch over nations for evil as a consequence of sin Jeremiah 44:27, but also to watch over them for the purpose of restoration, promising to build and to plant Jeremiah 31:28.
  • The Fulfillment of God's Word: God's watchfulness is directly tied to the certainty of His declarations. The LORD affirms, "I will hasten my word to perform it" Jeremiah 1:12, indicating His readiness to act on His promises.
  • The Mandate for Spiritual Diligence: H8245 is used to call for a state of constant spiritual readiness. Wisdom calls for a person to be watching daily at her gates Proverbs 8:34, and leaders are instructed to watch over sacred things until they are accounted for Ezra 8:29.
  • The Futility of Evil Vigilance: In contrast to godly watching, the term can also describe a malicious lookout. Scripture promises that "all that watch for iniquity" will be cut off Isaiah 29:20, showing that vigilance for wicked purposes leads to destruction.

Summary

In summary, shâqad H8245 conveys a powerful concept of sleepless vigilance. It is not a passive waiting but an active, alert watchfulness that can be for either judgment or restoration. The term is applied to God's sovereign execution of His word Jeremiah 1:12 and His plans for His people Jeremiah 31:28, as well as to the human responsibility to be diligent in seeking wisdom and guarding what is sacred Proverbs 8:34. From a watchman on a wall to God overseeing history, shâqad illustrates the profound importance of being alert.

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 12 occurrences, inflected in 9 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.

  • שֹׁקֵד
  • שָׁקַדְתִּי
  • יִּשְׁקֹד
  • שִׁקְדוּ
  • אֶשְׁקֹד
  • יִשְׁקוֹד
  • שְׁקֹד
  • שֹׁקְדֵי
  • שָׁקַד

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.

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 11 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Jeremiah (4 verses); never once in the other 32.

1
Ezra
1
Job
2
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah
4
Jeremiah
1
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.