### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H8266 (שָׁקַר, shâqar) is a primitive verb primarily conveying the sense of "to be untrue," "to deal falsely," or "to lie." Its semantic range extends from deliberate deception and uttering falsehoods to the broader concept of breaking faith or failing to live up to an expectation, though the latter is less prominent than the former. At its core, shâqar signifies a departure from truth, integrity, and reliability. It often denotes a spoken untruth, a false promise, or a deceptive action that misleads. The nuance can range from a simple lie to a profound act of betrayal or covenant infidelity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb shâqar appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its diverse applications and the gravity of the actions it describes.
* **Verbal Falsehood:** Most commonly, shâqar describes uttering a lie or false testimony. For instance, [[Leviticus 19:11]] explicitly commands, "You shall not lie to one another," using shâqar. Similarly, [[Proverbs 30:8]] prays, "Remove far from me falsehood and lies," highlighting the moral aversion to such speech. In [[Psalm 119:69]], the psalmist laments, "The arrogant have forged a lie against me," referring to false accusations.
* **Dealing Falsely/Betrayal:** The term also denotes a deeper betrayal or dealing falsely, particularly in a covenantal context. [[Psalm 44:17]] states, "All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant." Here, shâqar signifies a profound act of unfaithfulness to God's covenant. [[Isaiah 63:8]] similarly speaks of Israel as children who "will not deal falsely," implying a hope for their faithfulness.
* **False Prophets/Promises:** shâqar is frequently used to describe the deceptive words of false prophets who speak what is not from God. [[Jeremiah 5:12]] laments, "They have denied the Lord and said, 'It is not He; misfortune will not come upon us, nor will we see sword or famine.'" This is a classic example of false assurance. Elsewhere, Jeremiah condemns those who prophesy "a lying vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their own heart" ([[Jeremiah 14:14]], where a derivative noun `{{H8267}}` is used, but the concept is directly linked to the root).
* **Failure/Disappointment:** While less common for this specific root, the nuance of "failing" or "disappointing" can be inferred in contexts where an expected outcome does not materialize due to inherent falsehood or unreliability (e.g., a mirage that "lies" because it offers no water).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of shâqar stands in stark contrast to truth and faithfulness, often aligning with other terms for deception and unrighteousness.
* **Antonyms:** The primary antonym is `{{H571}}` ('emet), meaning "truth," "faithfulness," or "firmness." God's character is consistently described by emet, while human sin is often characterized by shâqar.
* **Synonyms/Related Terms:**
* `{{H3585}}` (kāzāḇ): "lie," "falsehood," often interchangeable with shâqar in contexts of verbal untruth.
* `{{H7423}}` (rāmāh): "deceive," "betray," emphasizing cunning or trickery.
* `{{H6567}}` (pâlal): "to be unfaithful," "to trespass," particularly in covenant contexts.
* `{{H8267}}` (sheqer): The noun form derived from shâqar, meaning "lie," "falsehood," "deception." This noun is very common and directly reflects the verb's meaning.
* **Thematic Connections:** The sin of shâqar is deeply intertwined with themes of justice, righteousness, covenant fidelity, and the nature of testimony. It represents a subversion of divine order and human trust.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of shâqar are profound and multifaceted.
* **God's Nature vs. Human Sin:** shâqar defines that which God is *not*. God is inherently truthful and faithful; He "cannot lie" ([[Numbers 23:19]], [[1 Samuel 15:29]], though different Hebrew roots are used, the theological concept is identical). Therefore, human shâqar is a direct affront to God's character and a violation of the divine standard of truth. It is a manifestation of human fallenness and rebellion.
* **Covenant Infidelity:** In the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, shâqar represents a grave breach of trust and loyalty. To "deal falsely with God's covenant" ([[Psalm 44:17]]) is to betray the very foundation of their relationship, inviting divine judgment.
* **Ethical Imperative:** The prohibition against shâqar is foundational to biblical ethics, particularly in the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness ([[Exodus 20:16]]). It underscores the importance of integrity in speech and action for maintaining a just and harmonious society, reflecting God's own truthfulness.
* **False Prophecy:** The use of shâqar to describe false prophets highlights the danger of spiritual deception. Those who speak shâqar in God's name lead people astray from the true Word of God, posing a severe threat to the community's spiritual well-being.
* **Spiritual Warfare:** shâqar is often associated with the adversary, Satan, who is described in the New Testament as the "father of lies" ([[John 8:44]], using a Greek equivalent, `{{G5579}}` pseudēs). This connection underscores the spiritual dimension of falsehood as a tool of evil to undermine truth and sow discord.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H8266 (שָׁקַר, shâqar) denotes the act of being untrue, dealing falsely, or lying. It primarily describes verbal falsehood and active deception, but also extends to acts of betrayal and covenant infidelity. Shâqar stands in direct opposition to God's inherent truthfulness (`{{H571}}` 'emet) and faithfulness. Its occurrences in the biblical text highlight the moral gravity of lying, the danger of false prophecy, and the profound breach of trust involved in dealing falsely with God's covenant. Theologically, shâqar represents a core aspect of human sinfulness, a rebellion against divine truth, and a destructive force in both human and divine-human relationships.
TRV