7895. Shishaq
Lexical Summary
Shishaq: Shishak

Original Word: שִׁישַׁק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shiyshaq
Pronunciation: SHEE-shak
Phonetic Spelling: (shee-shak')
KJV: Shishak
NASB: Shishak
Word Origin: [of Egyptian derivation]

1. Shishak, an Egyptian king

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Shishak

Or Shuwshaq {shoo-shak'}; of Egyptian derivation; Shishak, an Egyptian king -- Shishak.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
an Eg. king
NASB Translation
Shishak (7).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שׁוּשַׁק proper name, masculine 1 Kings 14:25 Kt, Qr שִׁישׁקּ

שׁוּת see שׁית.

שִׁישַׁק proper name, masculine king of Egypt, Solomon's time ( 10th century B.C.), 1 Kings 11:40; 1 Kings 14:25 Qr (Kt שושק), = 2 Chronicles 12:2,9, שִׁישָׁ֑ק 2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 Chronicles 12:7; = Šešonk I, first king of 22nd dynasty, BlauZMG xv (1861), 233 ff. SteindBAS i. 351; = Sošenk WMMAs.u.Eur.166 ff.; Ency. Bib. SHISHAK; compare GriffithHast. DB SHISHAK. p. 1004

Topical Lexicon
Historical Background of Shishak

Shishak was the first Pharaoh named in the canonical text whose reign can be placed securely in the standard chronology of Egypt and Israel. He ruled Egypt during the transition from the united monarchy of Israel under Solomon to the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In Egyptian sources he is identified with Pharaoh Shoshenq I, founder of the Twenty-second Dynasty (c. 945–924 BC). His rise coincided with the waning years of Solomon’s rule and the fragile beginnings of Rehoboam’s reign in Judah.

Biblical Narrative

1 Kings 11:40 places Shishak as a political refuge for Jeroboam while Solomon still lived: “Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, where he remained until Solomon’s death”. Jeroboam’s sojourn in Egypt paved the way for an enduring alliance between the future ruler of the northern tribes and Egypt’s monarch.

After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam’s apostasy led to rapid decline. Scripture states, “In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem” (1 Kings 14:25). The Chronicler expands: “Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam” (2 Chronicles 12:2). His invasion reached as far as Jerusalem, capturing fortified cities of Judah and exacting tribute from the temple and royal treasuries (2 Chronicles 12:4, 9). This fulfilled the prophetic word spoken by Shemaiah, who warned Rehoboam, “You have abandoned Me; therefore I now abandon you to Shishak” (2 Chronicles 12:5).

Judgment on Rehoboam and Judah

Shishak’s campaign served as divine discipline. When Rehoboam and his officials humbled themselves, the LORD lessened the judgment: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them, but I will grant them a measure of deliverance” (2 Chronicles 12:7). Yet tribute was still required, symbolizing a loss of glory. The golden shields made by Solomon were seized, and Rehoboam substituted bronze—an outward reminder that disobedience had diminished Judah’s splendor (2 Chronicles 12:9–10).

Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Evidence

The Bubastite Portal relief at Karnak lists a broad coalition of conquered towns in the southern Levant, many matching Judean sites mentioned in Scripture. Though Jerusalem is not named on the relief, the biblical testimony of its plundering accords with the concentration of Shoshenq I’s efforts in Judah’s fortified zones. Egyptian iconography depicts bound Israelite captives and heaps of treasure, reinforcing the picture of extensive spoils recorded in 2 Chronicles 12:9.

Prophetic Echoes and Theological Themes

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Shishak’s incursion illustrates how foreign powers become instruments of divine chastening when God’s people forsake His covenant.
2. Humility and Mercy: The partial relief granted after Rehoboam’s repentance anticipates later prophetic calls, such as Joel 2:13, that the LORD is “gracious and compassionate… relenting from sending disaster.”
3. The Futility of Splendor without Obedience: Solomon’s wealth could not shield Judah once the nation turned from the LORD. Material prosperity proves fragile without covenant loyalty.

Ministry Application

• Leaders are accountable for spiritual fidelity; their sin invites corporate harm (Rehoboam’s pride cost Judah its gold).
• Repentance remains effectual even in judgment; humbling before God can temper consequences.
• Trust in political alliances—whether Jeroboam in Egypt or Rehoboam’s attempt to fortify cities—cannot replace reliance on the LORD.

Summary

Shishak stands in Scripture as a tangible expression of God’s sovereignty over nations. His invasion links the downfall of Solomon’s house to divine justice, reinforces the patterns of judgment and mercy that run through Kings and Chronicles, and warns every generation that security rests not in wealth or alliance but in steadfast obedience to the LORD.

Forms and Transliterations
שִׁישַׁ֣ק שִׁישַׁ֥ק שִׁישָֽׁק׃ שִׁישָׁ֑ק שִׁישַׁ֥ק שישק שישק׃ shiShak šî·šaq šî·šāq šîšaq šîšāq
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 11:40
HEB: מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶל־ שִׁישַׁ֣ק מֶֽלֶךְ־ מִצְרַ֔יִם
NAS: to Egypt to Shishak king
KJV: into Egypt, unto Shishak king
INT: to Egypt to Shishak king of Egypt

1 Kings 14:25
HEB: [שׁוּשַׁק כ] (שִׁישַׁ֥ק ק) מֶֽלֶךְ־
NAS: Rehoboam, that Shishak the king
KJV: Rehoboam, [that] Shishak king
INT: Rehoboam came Shishak the king of Egypt

2 Chronicles 12:2
HEB: רְחַבְעָ֔ם עָלָ֛ה שִׁישַׁ֥ק מֶֽלֶךְ־ מִצְרַ֖יִם
NAS: to the LORD, that Shishak king
KJV: of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt
INT: Rehoboam's came Shishak king of Egypt

2 Chronicles 12:5
HEB: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מִפְּנֵ֣י שִׁישָׁ֑ק וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָהֶ֜ם
NAS: because of Shishak, and he said
KJV: because of Shishak, and said
INT: Jerusalem because of Shishak said Thus

2 Chronicles 12:5
HEB: אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיַד־ שִׁישָֽׁק׃
NAS: have forsaken you to Shishak.'
KJV: left you in the hand of Shishak.
INT: have forsaken the hand of Shishak

2 Chronicles 12:7
HEB: בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בְּיַד־ שִׁישָֽׁק׃
NAS: out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak.
KJV: upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
INT: Jerusalem means of Shishak

2 Chronicles 12:9
HEB: וַיַּ֨עַל שִׁישַׁ֥ק מֶֽלֶךְ־ מִצְרַיִם֮
NAS: So Shishak king of Egypt
KJV: So Shishak king of Egypt
INT: came Shishak king of Egypt

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7895
7 Occurrences


šî·šaq — 7 Occ.

7894
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