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שָׁקַד

𐤔𐤒𐤃

shâqad

H8245 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׁקד to watch, be vigilant, be alert, attend carefully

Definition

To keep watch, to be vigilant, to attend diligently. The verb denotes watchfulness characterized by alert attention, either literal (awake as opposed to asleep) or metaphorical (careful, attentive oversight). In some contexts, it connotes active observation or intent focus, whether as a guard over something, in anticipation, or in fulfillment of a promise.

Semantic Range

to be watchful, to guard or keep watch, to remain awake, to be vigilant or alert, to attend with care, to watch over (as in to oversee or act attentively), to anticipate with intent

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁקד, which primarily conveys the idea of being awake or vigilant. The root meaning ('to watch, be alert, attend carefully') forms the basis for the derived verb שָׁקַד ('to watch, keep vigil'). The common noun שָׁקֵד ('almond tree') is related by wordplay in Jeremiah 1:11–12 because the almond tree is among the first to blossom, symbolizing watchfulness or promptness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁקַד primarily describes God’s attentive oversight (Jeremiah 1:12: 'I am watching over my word to perform it') or a person’s vigilant watching (as in guards or sentinels). It may be used literally for wakefulness (Psalm 102:8) or figuratively for eager diligence (Daniel 9:14). Wordplay in prophetic texts (e.g., Jeremiah 1:11–12) links the almond tree (שָׁקֵד) to watchfulness, emphasizing God’s active attention. The verb does not necessarily imply positive or negative intent but focuses on the attentiveness of the watcher. In post-biblical Hebrew, the concept persists in ideas of diligence and attentiveness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁקד (sh-q-d) — to watch, be vigilant, be alert, attend carefully

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8247 שָׁקֵד the almond tree

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8245-06 שֹׁקֵ֥ד shoqed HVqrmsa am watching watching one 3
H8245-04 שָׁקַ֣דְתִּי shaqadeti HVqp1cs I have watched I kept watch 2
H8245-08 וַ/יִּשְׁקֹ֤ד vayisheqod HC/Vqw3ms and-has-kept-watch and he kept watch 1
H8245-07 שֹׁ֥קְדֵי shoqedey HVqrmpc who watch watchers of 1
H8245-05 שִׁקְד֣וּ shiqedu HVqv2mp Watch Keep watch 1
H8245-02 לִ/שְׁקֹ֣ד lisheqod HR/Vqc watching to keep watch 1
H8245-09 יִשְׁקֽוֹד yisheqod HVqi3ms will keep watch he will keep watch 1
H8245-01 אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד esheqod HVqi1cs I will watch I will keep watch 1
H8245-03 שָׁקַ֬ד shaqad HVqp3ms watches he kept watch 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8245-07 Isaiah 29:20 שֹׁ֥קְדֵי shoqedey HVqrmpc who watch watchers of
H8245-06 Jeremiah 1:12 שֹׁקֵ֥ד shoqed HVqrmsa I am watching watching one
H8245-06 Jeremiah 5:6 שֹׁקֵד֙ shoqed HVqrmsa will watch watching one
H8245-04 Jeremiah 31:28 שָׁקַ֣דְתִּי shaqadeti HVqp1cs I watched I kept watch
H8245-01 Jeremiah 31:28 אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד esheqod HVqi1cs I will watch I will keep watch
H8245-06 Jeremiah 44:27 שֹׁקֵ֧ד shoqed HVqrmsa am watching watching one
H8245-04 Psalms 102:8 שָׁקַ֥דְתִּי shaqadeti HVqp1cs I have watched I kept watch
H8245-03 Psalms 127:1 שָׁקַ֬ד shaqad HVqp3ms watches he kept watch
H8245-02 Proverbs 8:34 לִ/שְׁקֹ֣ד lisheqod HR/Vqc watching to keep watch
H8245-09 Job 21:32 יִשְׁקֽוֹד yisheqod HVqi3ms will keep watch he will keep watch
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