שָׁקַף

shâqaph /shaw-kaf'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
KJV usageappear, look (down, forth, out).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shâqaph, represented by H8259, is a primitive root used to convey the act of looking. It appears 22 times across 22 unique verses. Its core meaning is properly to lean out of a window to peep or gaze, but by implication it expands to mean to look down, forth, out, or to appear as a spectacle.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of H8259 falls into several distinct contexts. It is frequently used for the literal act of a person looking out from a H2474 window, as when Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and despised David in her heart 2 Samuel 6:16. In a contrasting sense, it describes a divine and powerful observation, such as when the H3068 LORD looked down from H8064 heaven to assess the children of men Psalms 14:2. The term can also denote something appearing or looking out from a direction, as in the warning that "evil appeareth out of the north" Jeremiah 6:1, or describe a geographical vantage point, where a location looketh toward a region like Jeshimon Numbers 23:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of shâqaph:

  • H2474 challôwn (window): This is the physical opening through which the act of looking often takes place. It is the setting for the observations of Michal 1 Chronicles 15:29, Jezebel 2 Kings 9:30, and Sisera's mother Judges 5:28.
  • H8064 shâmayim (heaven): This is the lofty position from which God looks down H8259. It establishes the divine perspective, contrasting with the limited, earthly view from a window (Psalms 53:2, Deuteronomy 26:15).
  • H7200 râʼâh (to see): This word is often paired with H8259, showing a sequence of action. A person first looks H8259 out, and then sees H7200 something, as when Michal looked through a window and saw King David 2 Samuel 6:16.
  • H959 bâzâh (despise): This word describes the result of a human observation using H8259. After Michal looked out at David dancing, she despised him, linking the act of looking to human judgment 1 Chronicles 15:29.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8259 is significant, highlighting the nature of divine versus human observation.

  • Divine Assessment: God's act of "looking down" is not passive. He looked down from heaven to see if anyone understood or sought Him, implying a gaze of scrutiny and judgment (Psalms 14:2, Psalms 53:2). This same active look was directed at the Egyptian host, resulting in their trouble Exodus 14:24.
  • A Call for Intervention: Humans plead for God to look down H8259, an act they believe will bring blessing and deliverance. This is seen in the prayer, "Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel" Deuteronomy 26:15 and in the cry, "Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven" Lamentations 3:50.
  • Human Vantage and Judgment: In contrast, the human act of looking out is often from a confined space like a H2474 window and leads to earthly reactions. Michal's look leads to contempt 2 Samuel 6:16, and Jezebel's defiant look precedes her death 2 Kings 9:30, illustrating a limited and often flawed perspective.

Summary

In summary, H8259 shâqaph is a dynamic word of observation that draws a sharp distinction between the perspective of God and that of humanity. Whether it is a person peering from a window or the Lord gazing from the height of His sanctuary, the word signifies more than a simple glance. It captures an intentional look that assesses, judges, or responds, revealing the profound difference between the all-encompassing divine gaze and the limited, often critical, view of mankind.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 4×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 4×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 2×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 22 verses across 14 books. Most frequent in Psalms (4 verses).

3
Genesis
1
Exodus
2
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
1
Judges
1
1 Samuel
2
2 Samuel
2
2 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
4
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Song of Solomon
1
Jeremiah
1
Lamentations

Verse Explorer

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