### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun שֹׁקֶת (shôqeth, `{{H8268}}`) is derived from the verbal root שָׁקָה (shaqah, `{{H8248}}`), which signifies "to give to drink," "to water," or "to irrigate." Consequently, שֹׁקֶת refers to a specific type of container designed to hold water for drinking, primarily for animals. Its core meaning is "trough" or "watering trough." The semantic range of this word is quite narrow, consistently pointing to a receptacle, often made of stone or wood, from which livestock would drink. It denotes a practical, everyday object essential for animal husbandry in an agrarian society.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שֹׁקֶת (shôqeth, `{{H8268}}`) appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible, all within the Book of Genesis, specifically in the narrative concerning Jacob and Laban's flocks.
* [[Genesis 30:38]]: "And he set the rods which he had peeled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they might conceive when they came to drink." Here, שֹׁקֶת (in the plural) refers to the troughs where the animals gathered to drink, serving as the location for Jacob's peculiar breeding strategy.
* [[Genesis 30:41]]: "And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before their eyes in the gutters in the troughs, that they might conceive among the rods." This verse reiterates the use of the troughs as the specific place where the flocks would drink and, in Jacob's plan, conceive.
In both instances, the context is agricultural and pastoral, highlighting the practical necessities of caring for large flocks. The troughs are depicted as central points for animal congregation and hydration, underscoring their importance in daily life for shepherds. The narrative attributes Jacob's remarkable success in increasing his flocks to his actions involving these troughs, suggesting a divinely orchestrated outcome rather than mere superstition.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding שֹׁקֶת (shôqeth, `{{H8268}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **שָׁקָה (shaqah, `{{H8248}}`):** The direct verbal root, meaning "to give to drink" or "to water." This etymological link underscores the primary function of the trough.
* **בְּאֵר (be'er, `{{H875}}`):** "Well." Troughs were often positioned near wells or springs, which served as the primary sources of water for filling them.
* **עֵין (ayin, `{{H5869}}`):** "Spring" or "fountain." Similar to wells, natural springs were vital water sources often associated with the use of troughs.
* **מַיִם (mayim, `{{H4325}}`):** "Water." The essential element contained within the trough, symbolizing life, refreshment, and purification throughout Scripture.
* **Pastoral Imagery:** The presence of a שֹׁקֶת evokes scenes of pastoral life, sheep, shepherds, and the provision of sustenance, which is a rich and recurring motif in biblical literature (e.g., the Lord as a shepherd in [[Psalm 23]]).
### Theological Significance
While שֹׁקֶת (shôqeth, `{{H8268}}`) is an unassuming object, its placement within the biblical narrative, particularly in Genesis 30, imbues it with subtle theological significance:
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** The trough, as a vessel for life-giving water, subtly points to the broader theme of God's provision. In a world dependent on natural resources, the availability of water for flocks was paramount. God is consistently portrayed as the ultimate provider of all necessities for His creation, often using ordinary means to deliver His blessings.
* **God's Sovereignty in Ordinary Means:** The most profound theological implication arises from Jacob's breeding strategy. The narrative presents Jacob's seemingly superstitious act of placing peeled rods in the שֹׁקֶת as the context for God's miraculous intervention. This illustrates that God can use the most mundane objects and human actions, even those that appear unusual, as instruments through which He exercises His sovereign will and fulfills His covenant promises. It underscores that divine blessing is not limited to extraordinary manifestations but can be realized through everyday circumstances.
* **Symbol of Life and Blessing:** Water is a pervasive symbol of life, spiritual refreshment, and God's blessing in the Bible. The trough, as a container for this vital element, participates in this broader symbolism, representing a point of sustenance and, in Jacob's case, a channel for God's abundant blessing upon his flocks.
### Summary
The Hebrew word שֹׁקֶת (shôqeth, `{{H8268}}`) precisely denotes a "trough" or "watering trough," derived from the verb "to water" (`{{H8248}}`). Its limited but significant appearances in [[Genesis 30:38]] and [[Genesis 30:41]] consistently place it in the context of watering livestock, particularly during Jacob's extraordinary increase of his flocks. Though a simple object, the שֹׁקֶת serves as a practical necessity in ancient pastoral life and, more importantly, as a subtle stage for divine activity. Theologically, it highlights God's faithful provision, His sovereignty in working through ordinary means to accomplish His purposes, and its role as a humble container for the life-sustaining element of water, symbolizing blessing and sustenance.