Lexical Summary Shishaq: Shishak Original Word: שִׁישַׁק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shishak Or Shuwshaq {shoo-shak'}; of Egyptian derivation; Shishak, an Egyptian king -- Shishak. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof 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 ShishakShishak 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. Ministry Application • Leaders are accountable for spiritual fidelity; their sin invites corporate harm (Rehoboam’s pride cost Judah its gold). 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 šîšāqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Chronicles 12:2 2 Chronicles 12:5 2 Chronicles 12:5 2 Chronicles 12:7 2 Chronicles 12:9 7 Occurrences |