The Hebrew word שָׁקָה (shâqâh), represented by H8248, is a primitive root meaning to give a drink. It appears 83 times across 72 unique verses. Its definition includes actions like to irrigate, furnish a potion to, moisten, or water. The core idea is the causative act of providing a liquid for consumption or saturation.
The causative nature of H8248 extends beyond simply making someone or something consume liquid; it implies a deliberate, often purposeful, act of provision or saturation. This root encapsulates the agent's active role in supplying moisture, whether to sustain life, facilitate growth, or execute a specific command. This active agency is crucial, distinguishing it from the passive act of drinking. Furthermore, H8248 can denote a thorough moistening or irrigation, not merely a superficial application. This is evident in descriptions of the earth being completely H8248ed, as when a mist went up and "watered the whole face of the ground" Genesis 2:6, or when God promises to "water" his vineyard "every moment" Isaiah 27:3, signifying constant care and deep saturation. The word thus conveys a sense of fulfillment or completion in the act of supplying liquid, ensuring the recipient is adequately provided for.
In biblical narratives, H8248 is used in a range of contexts, from simple acts of hospitality to powerful divine interventions. It describes the essential work of watering flocks at a well (Genesis 29:10, Exodus 2:17). It is used for acts of kindness, such as when Rebekah gave drink to Abraham's servant and his camels Genesis 24:46 or when one is commanded to give water to a thirsty enemy Proverbs 25:21. The term also describes God's role in irrigating the earth, as when a river from Eden watered the garden Genesis 2:10. The word is also used to denote the official role of a cupbearer to a king (Nehemiah 1:11, Genesis 40:1).
Beyond general acts of kindness and agricultural practice, H8248 is strikingly employed in specific legal and ritualistic contexts. A prominent example is the "bitter water that causeth the curse" administered to a woman suspected of adultery, where the priest "shall cause the woman to drink" this water as part of a divine test Numbers 5:24, Numbers 5:26, Numbers 5:27. Here, the act of giving drink is not for sustenance or pleasure, but as a mechanism of divine adjudication, carrying profound consequences. In a different vein, the word appears in military narratives, particularly David's longing for water from the well of Bethlehem during a siege, a dangerous request that his mighty men fulfill by drawing and bringing him drink 2 Samuel 23:15, 1 Chronicles 11:17. Similarly, giving water to a weary Egyptian in the field 1 Samuel 30:11 highlights its role in sustaining life in dire circumstances, often as an act of basic humanitarian aid or even a strategic gesture.
Several related words expand on the concepts of drinking and thirst:
- H8354 shâthâh (to imbibe): This is the direct act of drinking, which H8248 causes. The definition for H8248 notes H8354 is its intensive. In Genesis 24:14, the servant asks to drink H8354, and Rebekah offers to give drink H8248 to his camels.
- H7937 shâkar (to become tipsy): The definition for H8248 lists this as its superlative, illustrating an escalation from providing a drink to intoxication. This is seen in the woe pronounced on one who gives his neighbour drink H8248 to make him drunken H7937 Habakkuk 2:15.
- H6771 tsâmêʼ (thirsty): This adjective describes the state of needing a drink. The act of H8248 is often the direct response to this need, as when one is instructed to give water to a thirsty enemy Proverbs 25:21.
- H4325 mayim (water): As the most essential drink, water is frequently the object of the verb H8248, whether given by God from a rock Numbers 20:8 or by a human from a bottle Genesis 21:19.
- H8249 shiqquv (watering): This noun is a direct derivative of H8248, referring to the act of watering or irrigation itself. It signifies the process or result of the causative action of H8248.
- H8268 shôqeth (trough): This feminine noun, also derived from H8248, denotes the vessel or place from which animals are watered, directly linking to the practical application of giving drink to flocks and herds.
The theological weight of H8248 is significant, representing both divine blessing and judgment.
- Divine Provision: God is depicted as the ultimate provider who waters the hills Psalms 104:13 and his chosen people in the wilderness Isaiah 43:20. He promises to make his people drink of the river of his pleasures, a metaphor for abundant spiritual blessing Psalms 36:8.
- Divine Judgment: God uses the act of forcing a drink as a powerful metaphor for punishment. He makes Israel drink the "water of gall" for their sins (Jeremiah 8:14, Jeremiah 9:15) and forces the nations to drink the "wine cup of this fury" Jeremiah 25:15.
- Human Morality: The act of giving a drink is a test of character. Job is falsely accused of not having given water to the weary Job 22:7. Conversely, giving drink to captives is an act of compassion 2 Chronicles 28:15. The word is also used in contexts of sin, as when Lot's daughters made their father drink wine Genesis 19:32.
- Covenantal Perversion and Breach: The act of giving drink can be twisted into a violation of sacred trust or covenant. This is powerfully illustrated when the Israelites "gave the Nazarites wine to drink," directly contravening their vow of separation Amos 2:12. Similarly, God's judgment can manifest as the denial of customary comfort, as when people are prevented from giving "the cup of consolation to drink" to mourners, symbolizing a profound rupture in communal and familial support Jeremiah 16:7.
- Metaphorical Nourishment and Delight: While H8248 often refers to essential sustenance, it also depicts a rich, qualitative provision that goes beyond mere necessity to convey delight and intimacy. This is evident in the metaphorical promise of "spiced wine" Song of Solomon 8:2, representing a deeper, more refined form of spiritual or relational satisfaction, a parallel to God making his people drink of the "river of his pleasures" Psalms 36:8.
The Hebrew verb H8248 (shâqâh) is a robust and versatile root that fundamentally signifies the causative act of providing liquid, whether for consumption, irrigation, or saturation. Its semantic range encompasses everything from the simple act of giving a drink to complex processes of watering land or administering potions. This core meaning extends into diverse practical applications within the biblical world, from the essential labor of watering livestock at communal wells and the crucial role of a royal cupbearer, to acts of hospitality and compassion, even towards enemies or the weary. The word's use in providing for the land, as seen with the river of Eden or God's constant care for his vineyard, underscores its connection to sustenance and the flourishing of creation.
Beyond these practical and social dimensions, H8248 carries significant ritualistic and moral weight. It is employed in the solemn legal context of the bitter water ordeal for a suspected adulteress, where the act of drinking becomes a conduit for divine judgment. In narratives of human morality, giving drink is a benchmark for righteousness, while withholding it or perverting its purpose, such as by making a Nazarite drink wine, signals a moral or covenantal transgression. This highlights how the simple act of providing liquid can be imbued with profound ethical implications, serving as a test of character and adherence to divine standards.
Theologically, H8248 is a powerful metaphor for both God's benevolent provision and his righteous judgment. He is the ultimate source who waters the earth and refreshes his people, offering a "river of pleasures" that speaks to abundant spiritual satisfaction and intimate delight. Conversely, God uses the act of making nations "drink the wine cup of this fury" or "water of gall" as a vivid depiction of severe punishment for sin, illustrating his sovereign authority over judgment. In its multifaceted usage, H8248 thus serves as a foundational term for understanding themes of life, blessing, morality, covenant, and divine retribution, painting a comprehensive picture of the vital role of liquid in both the physical and spiritual realms of biblical thought.
TRV