שֶׁקֶף
𐤔𐤒𐤐
sheqeph
H8260 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A structural opening in a wall, typically in an upper story, allowing light and air into a building, often situated so as to serve as an outlook or vantage point for seeing outside. In biblical contexts, often used for an aperture or window in a fortified structure or home.
Semantic Range
loophole, outlook window, observation aperture, lookout opening, window (with emphasis on viewing outside)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁקַף (sh-q-p), which means 'to look out, gaze, overlook, peer.' The noun שֶׁקֶף (sheqeph) designates an architectural feature that facilitates such looking out—namely, a window or lookout opening.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שֶׁקֶף occurs in architectural descriptions, especially regarding buildings constructed for outlook or surveillance (e.g., watchtowers, city walls, or private homes). The emphasis is not merely on admitting light and air, as a modern window, but on the function of seeing or overseeing from within a structure. Unlike חַלּוֹן (ḥallōn), another biblical word rendered 'window,' שֶׁקֶף is less common and used in situations that highlight observation and surveillance, rather than just ventilation or light. English translations often render both words as 'window,' but שֶׁקֶף stresses the aspect of looking out or overseeing. Over time, architectural and cultural developments in the region’s building practices led to the evolution of distinct terms for various kinds of openings in walls, with שֶׁקֶף capturing a specific, lookout-related niche in earlier texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁקַף; a loophole (for looking out), to admit light and air; window.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שקף (sh-q-p) — to look out, overlook, observe
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8259 | שָׁקַף | the one leaning out |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8260-01 |
שָׁ֑קֶף | shaqef | HNcmsa |
lintel | lookout window | lintel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8260-01 |
1 Kings 7:5 | שָׁ֑קֶף | shaqef | HNcmsa |
lintel | lookout window | lintel |