שֶׁפֶל
𐤔𐤐𐤋
shephel
H8216 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
(n.m.) A low-lying region or terrain; specifically, lowlands or plains distinguished from upland or mountainous areas. In some contexts, denotes a lower or less elevated social or geographical status or position.
Semantic Range
lowland region, plain, low or depressed place (geographic); low estate or rank (figurative); humble or abased condition (abstract/metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the root שפל, meaning 'to be low, abased, or cast down.' שֶׁפֶל is a nominal form denoting a low place (geographical) or, by extension, a low state or condition (social or metaphorical).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שֶׁפֶל most often refers to low-lying geographical regions, particularly the Shephelah—the low foothills between the coastal plain and the hill country of Judah, significant in the territorial delineation of ancient Israelite landscapes (cf. Joshua, 2 Chronicles). The term distinguishes these areas from the higher hill country (הָר) or the Negev (נֶגֶב). In poetic or metaphorical contexts, it can be used abstractly for a humble or abased condition, although the predominant usage is geographic. Later translations (e.g., KJV 'low place') sometimes interpret the term generically, obscuring the specific regional reference. Use of the term persists into the Second Temple period as a geographic designation. Contrast with עֲרָבָה (ʿaravah, 'desert plain') and מִשּׁוֹר (mishor, 'tableland').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁפֵל; an humble rank; low estate (place).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שפל (š-p-l) — to be low, made low, humble, abased
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8213 | שָׁפֵל | I will bring low |
| H8217 | שָׁפָל | in being low |
| H8218 | שִׁפְלָה | and in the lowland |
| H8219 | שְׁפֵלָה | in the lowland region |
| H8220 | שִׁפְלוּת | and in lowliness of |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8216-02 |
שֶׁ֭/בְּ/שִׁפְלֵ/נוּ | shebeshifelenu | HTr/R/Ncmsc/Sp1cp |
in our low estate | in our lowliness | 1 | |
H8216-01 |
בַּ/שֵּׁ֥פֶל | bashefel | HRd/Ncmsa |
in a low place | in the lowland | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8216-02 |
Psalms 136:23 | שֶׁ֭/בְּ/שִׁפְלֵ/נוּ | shebeshifelenu | HTr/R/Ncmsc/Sp1cp |
in our low estate | in our lowliness | |
H8216-01 |
Ecclesiastes 10:6 | בַּ/שֵּׁ֥פֶל | bashefel | HRd/Ncmsa |
in a low place | in the lowland |