7809. shachad

Lexical Summary

shachad: bribe, offer a bribe

Original Word: שָׁחַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shachad
Pronunciation: shaw-khad'
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-khad')
KJV: hire, give a reward
NASB: bribe, offer a bribe
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to donate, i.e. bribe

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

hire, give a reward

A primitive root; to donate, i.e. Bribe -- hire, give a reward.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to give a present, bribe
NASB Translation
bribe (1), offer a bribe (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[שָׁחַד] verb give a present, bribe (Ecclus 35:14; Aramaic שְׁחַד, bribe; perhaps also Assyrian šidê, gifts, Dl^{WB 643}); —

Qal Imperfect2feminine singular, accusative of person וַתִּשְׁחֳדִי אוֺתָם Ezekiel 16:33 thou didst bribe them to come (לָבוֺא; "" נָתַן נְדָנִים); read probably also Infinitive construct suffix שַׁחֲדָהּ Isaiah 47:11 to buy it off (for ᵑ0 שַׁחְרָהּ, so Kr Gr Buhl Che^{Hpt Heb 142}, compare Marti; see Proverbs 6:35); Imperative masculine plural שִׁחֲדוּ בַעֲדִי (Ges^{§ 64a}) Job 6:22 give a bribe for me.

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Conceptual Emphasis

The noun שָׁחַד (Strong’s H7809) centers on the notion of a “gift” that carries ulterior motive—what English versions render “bribe.” It is not simply a voluntary present of goodwill but an incentive intended to sway judgment, gain favor, or purchase loyalty. The term therefore moves immediately into moral territory, exposing how something outwardly generous can mask inner corruption.

Old Testament Occurrences

1. Job 6:22. In Job’s defense before his friends, the patriarch appeals to his integrity: “Have I ever said, ‘Give me something,’ or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?”. The verse relies on שָׁחַד to reinforce Job’s claim that he has never manipulated others for personal advantage; his righteousness stands untarnished by this sort of covert transaction.
2. Ezekiel 16:33. The prophet indicts Jerusalem’s spiritual harlotry: “Men give gifts to all prostitutes, but you give gifts to all your lovers, and you bribe them to come to you from every direction for your illicit favors”. Here שָׁחַד exposes a shocking inversion—Jerusalem not only adopts the immoral practice but funds it, squandering covenant blessings to entice idolatrous alliances.

Cultural and Historical Background

In the Ancient Near East, gift-giving was a complex social ritual. Legitimate tribute or diplomacy often involved presents exchanged to affirm relationships. Scripture distinguishes this accepted custom from שָׁחַד, which weaponizes generosity for unjust ends (compare Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:23, where the cognate verb warns judges against accepting such gifts). Thus שָׁחַד functions as a litmus test for societal health: a culture tolerating bribery undermines justice, invites divine censure, and erodes covenant fidelity.

Theological Insights

• Divine Impartiality. Because Yahweh “takes no bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17), שָׁחַד stands in direct opposition to His character. The concept clarifies that true justice flows from God alone and cannot be bought.
• Human Sinfulness. Both Job 6 and Ezekiel 16 reveal how easily fallen hearts twist material blessing into moral leverage. Whether through personal manipulation (Job’s friends) or collective apostasy (Jerusalem), שָׁחַד manifests the pervasive reach of sin.
• Covenant Accountability. Israel was warned that institutionalizing bribery would invite exile (Amos 5:12). Ezekiel’s indictment fulfills that warning, showing שָׁחַד as a factor in the nation’s downfall.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Integrity in Leadership. Elders, deacons, and civil authorities must cultivate transparency that resists both receiving and offering illicit incentives (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
• Stewardship of Resources. Believers are called to generosity without hidden agendas (2 Corinthians 9:7). Any “gift” designed to manipulate outcomes contradicts gospel ethics.
• Advocacy for Justice. Congregations should stand with the vulnerable who suffer when courts or governments are swayed by bribery (Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:23).

Christological Perspective

The Messiah embodies the antithesis of שָׁחַד. Satan offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” if He would bow in compromise (Matthew 4:8-10). Christ’s refusal underscores the kingdom ethic: obedience to the Father cannot be purchased. At the cross He secures redemption “without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1), providing the only gift that is pure, gracious, and incapable of corruption.

Contemporary Relevance

Modern expressions of שָׁחַד range from corporate kickbacks to subtle favors exchanged for influence. Followers of Jesus confront such practices by modeling fairness, exposing injustice, and cultivating communities where generosity flows freely, not as leverage but as love.

Related Passages for Further Study

Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Psalm 26:10; Proverbs 15:27; Isaiah 33:15-16; Micah 3:11.

Forms and Transliterations

וַתִּשְׁחֳדִ֣י ותשחדי שִׁחֲד֥וּ שחדו shichaDu ši·ḥă·ḏū šiḥăḏū vattishchoDi wat·tiš·ḥo·ḏî wattišḥoḏî

Englishman's Concordance

Job 6:22
HEB: לִ֑י וּ֝מִכֹּחֲכֶ֗ם שִׁחֲד֥וּ בַעֲדִֽי׃
NAS: Give me [something],' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,'
KJV: Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
INT: Give ability Offer about

Ezekiel 16:33
HEB: לְכָל־ מְאַֽהֲבַ֔יִךְ וַתִּשְׁחֳדִ֣י אוֹתָ֗ם לָב֥וֹא
NAS: your lovers to bribe them to come
KJV: to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come
INT: to all your lovers to bribe to come to you

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7809
2 Occurrences

ši·ḥă·ḏū — 1 Occ.
wat·tiš·ḥo·ḏî — 1 Occ.