Lexical Summary Shobeq: Lattice Original Word: שׁוֹבֵק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shobek Active participle from a primitive root meaning to leave (compare shbaq); forsaking; Shobek, an Israelite -- Shobek. see HEBREW shbaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition one who signed Nehemiah's covenant NASB Translation Shobek (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוֺבֵק proper name, masculine one of those sealed Nehemiah 10:25; Σωβηκ, ᵐ5L Σωβειρ. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Identity Shobek is named a single time in Scripture, in Nehemiah 10:24, where he is listed among the Levites who sealed the post-exilic covenant. Though the text supplies no genealogy or exploits, his signature situates him in the circle of spiritual leaders who stood with Nehemiah during Jerusalem’s restoration around 445 BC. Historical Setting The walls had been rebuilt (Nehemiah 6) and the Law publicly read (Nehemiah 8). Deep conviction followed, leading the nation to “enter into a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God” (Nehemiah 10:29). Chapter 10 preserves the names of those who ratified that oath—priests, Levites, and lay chiefs. Shobek’s inclusion links him to the sweeping revival that reclaimed Israel’s identity after exile. Role in the Covenant Renewal 1. Representative Leadership Ministry Significance • Integrity of Lesser-Known Servants Shobek never reappears in Scripture, yet his single act contributes to national obedience. The passage demonstrates that covenant faithfulness is often upheld by people whose accounts remain untold. His participation confirms that the Levitical office did not lapse with exile. The priests and Levites resumed their God-given duties—reading Scripture, leading worship, guarding holiness. The renewal Shobek embraced prepared the way for a century of relative stability in Judea, preserving a remnant through whom Messianic promises would unfold. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Commitment God’s people publicly bound themselves “to obey carefully all the commands” (Nehemiah 10:29). Shobek illustrates that genuine revival couples confession (Nehemiah 9) with concrete obedience (Nehemiah 10). The covenant climax—“We will not neglect the house of our God” (Nehemiah 10:39)—echoes forward to every generation. Shobek’s signature ties him to the unbroken priority of maintaining God-ordained worship. Scripture records Shobek to underscore divine mindfulness of every faithful act (Malachi 3:16). Though obscure in human history, he is memorialized in sacred history. Practical Lessons for Today • Stand Publicly for Biblical Truth—Shobek teaches that identifying with God’s covenant people, even in a mere signature, honors the Lord. Cross-References for Study Nehemiah 8:1-8; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Nehemiah 10:29-39; Deuteronomy 33:8-11; Malachi 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5. Forms and Transliterations שׁוֹבֵֽק׃ שובק׃ shoVek šō·w·ḇêq šōwḇêqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 10:24 HEB: הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ פִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק׃ NAS: Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, KJV: Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek, INT: Hallohesh Pilha Shobek 1 Occurrence |
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