שֵׂכוּ
𐤔𐤊𐤅
Sekhu
H7906 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place name mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Its meaning is uncertain, but it likely designates a site associated with watching or observation, possibly an elevated position such as an outlook post. The term occurs as a toponym, specifically referring to a site near Gibeah in the narrative of Saul and David.
Semantic Range
place of observation, lookout, observatory (as a toponym); the specific locality named שֵׂכוּ in 1 Samuel
Root / Etymology
From an uncertain Hebrew root, possibly שכה or שׂכה, suggested to be related to the idea of 'watching' or 'overseeing,' but this is not directly attested elsewhere. The derivation is speculative; the root itself is otherwise unused within the biblical record.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֵׂכוּ (Sêkûw) appears solely as a proper name for a physical location in 1 Samuel 19:22. The context implies a place suitable for observation, perhaps due to its elevation, which fits the narrative of Saul seeking information about David’s whereabouts. The connection to 'observatory' is inferential and relies on the probable, though unverified, root association. No post-biblical or extrabiblical references clarify its meaning or precise location, and the term does not recur as a common noun elsewhere. Later translations (e.g., the LXX, Vulgate, and KJV) render it as a proper noun or leave it untranslated, indicating early uncertainty regarding its sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root apparently meaning to surmount; an observatory (with the article); Seku, a place in Palestine; Sechu.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שכה (ś-k-h) — watching, observing, overseeing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5393 | נִשְׁכָּה | his storage-chamber |
| H7904 | שָׁכָה | those leading astray |
| H7907 | שֶׂכְוִי | to the rooster |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7906-01 |
בַּ/שֶּׂ֔כוּ | basekhu | HRd/Np |
in Secu | in the Lookout | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7906-01 |
1 Samuel 19:22 | בַּ/שֶּׂ֔כוּ | basekhu | HRd/Np |
in Secu | in the Lookout |