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שְׁפֵלָה

𐤔𐤐𐤋𐤄

shᵉphêlâh

H8219 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Region of lowlands or gently sloped terrain, specifically designating the geographical zone of low hills and valleys in the land of Israel, especially the area between the coastal plain and the central highlands. In many biblical contexts, it refers to a distinct topographic region characterized by rolling hills and broad valleys.

Semantic Range

region of low hills and valleys, specific topographical zone west of the Judahite highlands, buffer zone between highlands and coastal plain, agricultural hinterland, low country (as a region), Shephelah (proper geographical term)

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁפֵל (to be low, to become low, to be humble), with שְׁפֵלָה formed as a feminine noun indicating 'low-lying place' or 'low region'. The term applies topographically rather than socially or spiritually.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, שְׁפֵלָה refers to the specific geographic region known today as the Shephelah, stretching between the Judean highlands and the Mediterranean coastal plain. This region was of strategic and agricultural importance, serving as a buffer or borderland between the Philistine cities on the coast and the highland cities of the Israelites, especially those of the Judahites. The Shephelah included fertile valleys and low rolling hills, making it valuable for crops and grazing. English translations sometimes render it as 'lowland', 'valley', or 'plain', but the term actually refers to a distinct region rather than a generic plain or valley. Not to be confused with עֵמֶק (ʿēmeq, 'valley'), which refers to deeper or more enclosed depressions, or מִישׁוֹר (mîshôr, 'plateau'). Over time, the Shephelah became closely associated with the kingdom of Judah and appears in descriptions of boundary, settlement, and military conflict. In post-biblical and modern usage, the term 'Shephelah' is retained as a regional designation in the land of Israel. Later English Bible versions sometimes use 'low country' or 'vale' based on older translation tradition, but these do not capture the specific topographic reference of שְׁפֵלָה.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁפֵל; Lowland, i.e. (with the article) the maritime slope of Palestine; low country, (low) plain, vale(-ley).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שפל (š-p-l) — to be low, to become low, to humble

Root שפל to be low, to become low, to humble
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8213 שָׁפֵל I will bring low
H8216 שֶׁפֶל in the lowland
H8217 שָׁפָל in being low
H8218 שִׁפְלָה and in the lowland
H8220 שִׁפְלוּת and in lowliness of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8219-04 וּ/בַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֥ה uvashefelah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and in the lowland and in the lowland-region and in the lowland-region 5
H8219-02 הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֖ה hashefelah HTd/Ncfsa the Shephelah the low-lying region the lowland 5
H8219-01 בַּ/שְּׁפֵלָ֑ה bashefelah HRd/Ncfsa in the Shephelah in the lowland region in the lowland region 5
H8219-05 וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֜ה vehashefelah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the Shephelah and the lowland region and the Shephelah 4
H8219-03 וּ/שְׁפֵלָתֹֽ/ה ushefelatoh HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and its Shephelah and his lowland region and its lowland region 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8219-04 Deuteronomy 1:7 וּ/בַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֥ה uvashefelah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and-in-the-Shephelah and in the lowland-region and in the lowland-region
H8219-04 Joshua 9:1 וּ/בַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֗ה uvashefelah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and in the lowland and in the lowland-region and in the lowland-region
H8219-05 Joshua 10:40 וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֜ה vehashefelah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the lowland and the lowland region and the lowland
H8219-04 Joshua 11:2 וּ/בַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֑ה uvashefelah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and in the lowland and in the lowland-region and in the lowland region
H8219-02 Joshua 11:16 הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֖ה hashefelah HTd/Ncfsa the Shephelah the low-lying region the lowland region
H8219-03 Joshua 11:16 וּ/שְׁפֵלָתֹֽ/ה ushefelatoh HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and its Shephelah and his lowland region and its lowland region
H8219-04 Joshua 12:8 וּ/בַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֗ה uvashefelah HC/Rd/Ncfsa and in the lowland and in the lowland-region and in the lowland-region
H8219-01 Joshua 15:33 בַּ/שְּׁפֵלָ֑ה bashefelah HRd/Ncfsa in the lowland in the lowland region in the lowland region
H8219-05 Judges 1:9 וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָֽה vehashefelah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the Shephelah and the lowland region and the Shephelah
H8219-01 1 Kings 10:27 בַּ/שְּׁפֵלָ֖ה bashefelah HRd/Ncfsa in the Shephelah in the lowland region in the lowland region
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