שְׁפַל
𐤔𐤐𐤋
shᵉphal
H8215 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
(Aramaic) Low, humble, or of low status, often denoting something or someone brought down, debased, or occupying a position of inferiority. The term is frequently used in relation to social or political standing, or as a figurative description of humility versus exaltation. In context, it can refer to those of low rank, reduced status, or the humblest members within a hierarchy (e.g., 'the lowest'). When describing things, it refers to something in a physically low position or base.
Semantic Range
low, humble, low in rank or status, subordinate, humiliated, humble (in spirit or attitude), physically low (context-dependent)
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁפל in Hebrew and Aramaic, meaning 'to be low, to be abased, or brought low.' The core root idea is that of being below others, either physically (in terms of height or ranking) or metaphorically (in terms of honor or social standing). The Aramaic form שְׁפַל preserves the sense of low status or humility from the Hebrew root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁפַל appears in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel. It is generally used in contexts emphasizing status, humility, or being brought down—contrasting with words meaning 'high' or 'exalted.' The term is applied both to people and things and can be figurative as much as literal. The Aramaic word functions much as the Hebrew equivalent שָׁפָל (shafal), with the distinction of usage tied primarily to language section (Hebrew vs. Aramaic). English translations often render it as 'lowliest,' 'basest,' or 'humble,' but the nuance between moral vileness and social abasement should be carefully discerned from context—the primary sense is one of status or rank, not moral quality. In Daniel, for example, it describes the most lowly of people, not necessarily the most wicked. The broader semantic field in Aramaic aligns closely with the Hebrew, but tends not to include the physical sense of height as frequently as the Hebrew does.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from שְׁפַל; low; basest.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁפל (sh-p-l) — to be low, to be abased, to humble
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8214 | שְׁפַל | you brought low |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8215-01 |
וּ/שְׁפַ֥ל | ushefal | AC/Aamsc |
and lowly | and low-ranking | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8215-01 |
Daniel 4:14 | וּ/שְׁפַ֥ל | ushefal | AC/Aamsc |
and lowly | and low-ranking |