שׁוּק
𐤔𐤅𐤒
shûwq
H7783 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rush forth, surge, or overflow, especially of water; used primarily with reference to water bursting out or flooding over an area, but may also indicate to move swiftly or forcefully beyond confines. In the Hebrew Bible, the term usually refers specifically to the action of surging or overflowing water in a catastrophic sense, rather than ordinary flow.
Semantic Range
to overflow (water), to surge or burst forth (especially of water), to inundate, to rush violently
Root / Etymology
Root שׁוּק (sh-w-q), meaning to rush forth or surge. The derived verb form in Biblical Hebrew carries the idea of moving swiftly or forcefully, often associated with liquid or water. Some comparative Semitic evidence points to similar roots denoting surging or pressing forward, though direct cognates are rare, and the root does not have a wide attestation outside Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שׁוּק appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is almost exclusively found in poetic or prophetic passages describing catastrophic water events or divine judgment involving natural forces (e.g., Nahum 2:9[8]). Unlike more common terms for 'flow' (such as זָרַם 'to flow'), שׁוּק conveys an intense, forceful action—an outpouring or surge rather than a steady stream. Modern translations tend to render it as 'overflow' or 'flood,' but such renderings sometimes obscure its nuance of vigorous, almost violent, movement. The term does not refer to a person or group identity, nor does it have a specialized religious sense in Israelite culture. There is some overlap in imagery with terms related to military assault or divine wrath through overwhelming power, but שׁוּק is distinctive in its emphasis on the uncontrolled surge or bursting forth of waters.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to run after or over, i.e. overflow; overflow, water.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שוק (sh-w-q) — to surge, to overflow, to rush forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7784 | שׁוּק | in public thoroughfares |
| H7785 | שׁוֹק | the lower leg |
| H8243 | שָׁק | his lower legs |
| H8669 | תְּשׁוּקָה | your longing |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7783-01 |
הֵשִׁ֨יקוּ֙ | heshiqu | HVhp3cp |
overflow | they caused to overflow | 1 |
H7783-03 |
וְ/הֵשִׁ֥יקוּ | veheshiqu | HC/Vhp3cp |
and they shall overflow | and they caused to overflow | 1 |
H7783-02 |
וַ/תְּשֹׁ֪קְקֶ֡/הָ | vateshoqeqeha | HC/Vow2ms/Sp3fs |
and-you-have-satisfied-it | and you inundated her | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7783-03 |
Joel 2:24 | וְ/הֵשִׁ֥יקוּ | veheshiqu | HC/Vhp3cp |
and they shall overflow | and they caused to overflow |
H7783-01 |
Joel 4:13 | הֵשִׁ֨יקוּ֙ | heshiqu | HVhp3cp |
overflow | they caused to overflow |
H7783-02 |
Psalms 65:10 | וַ/תְּשֹׁ֪קְקֶ֡/הָ | vateshoqeqeha | HC/Vow2ms/Sp3fs |
and-you-have-satisfied-it | and you inundated her |