Lexical Summary shakkuwl: Bereaved, childless Original Word: שַׁכּוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance barren, bereaved robbed of children whelps Or shakkul {shak-kool'}; from shakol; bereaved -- barren, bereaved (robbed) of children (whelps). see HEBREW shakol Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁבוּל] adjective childless (through bereavement); — feminine singular שְׁכוּלָה Isaiah 49:21 (figurative of Zion); — on form see BaNB 47. שַׁכּוּל adjective bereaved, robbed of offspring (Ba§ 37 c); — especially׳דֹּב שׁ 2 Samuel 17:8; Hosea 13:8; Proverbs 17:12 (simile of fierceness); נְשֵׁיהֶם שַׁכֻּלוֺת Jeremiah 18:21; שַׁכֻּלָה אֵין בָּהֶם Songs 4:2 (of flock, in simile) = Songs 6:6. Topical Lexicon Concept Overview The term שַׁכּוּל (Strong’s Hebrew 7909) denotes the state of being bereaved—especially of children—and by extension conveys the intense anguish, emptiness, and untamed fury that can flow from such loss. Scripture employs the word to paint vivid emotional scenes, ranging from protective rage (the “bereaved bear”) to aching parental deprivation, and even to poetic descriptions of wholeness where bereavement is explicitly absent. Canonical Distribution Six inspired occurrences span historical narrative, wisdom, lyric love poetry, and prophetic judgment: Figurative Usage in Martial Contexts Twice the Holy Spirit uses the image of “a bear robbed of her cubs”—2 Samuel 17:8 and Hosea 13:8—to communicate unbridled ferocity. In the former, Hushai warns Absalom: “Your father and his men … are enraged like a bear robbed of her cubs”. In the latter, the LORD Himself adopts the metaphor in judgment: “Like a bear deprived of her cubs, I will attack them and tear open their chests” (Hosea 13:8). The shared picture underscores that bereavement can kindle an unstoppable, even violent, response—whether in human warriors or in divine retribution. Wisdom Literature Reflection Proverbs 17:12 elevates the same comparison into a moral proverb: “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly”. The proverb magnifies the destructive potential of folly by appealing to the universally recognized danger of maternal bereavement in the wild. The mention of שַׁכּוּל therefore warns readers to flee not merely external threats but also the internal moral chaos of sin-driven foolishness. Poetic Imagery of Wholeness in Song of Songs In Song of Songs 4:2 and 6:6 the bride’s teeth are compared to freshly washed ewes, “each bearing its twin, and not one among them has lost her young” (4:2). Here the negation of שַׁכּוּל (“none bereaved”) supplies a delicate counter-image: perfect completeness and flourishing intimacy, where nothing is missing or marred. The poetic use shows that the opposite of bereavement is fullness, a theme that ultimately resonates with the restoration God promises His people. Covenant and Prophetic Judgment Jeremiah 18:21 employs the term in an imprecatory prayer: “Deliver up their children to famine… let their wives be bereaved of their children”. The verse exposes covenantal consequences for hardened rebellion: the very blessing of offspring (Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 28:4) can be reversed into curse. The intensity of bereavement serves as a sobering reminder that sin dismantles God-given shalom. Theological Themes 1. Sanctity of Life and Offspring: The pain implicit in שַׁכּוּל testifies to the high value Scripture places on children. Loss is grievous precisely because life is precious. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Comfort for the Grieving: Recognizing how honestly Scripture speaks of child-loss legitimizes lament within the community of faith (Romans 12:15). In all its settings, שַׁכּוּל invites readers to feel the sharp edge of loss, heed the lethal consequences of sin, and long for the perfect restoration secured in the gospel. Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה ושכלה שַׁכֻּלוֹת֙ שַׁכּ֔וּל שַׁכּ֖וּל שַׁכּ֣וּל שכול שכלות šak·ku·lō·wṯ šak·kūl šakkūl šakkulōwṯ shakKul shakkulOt veshakkuLah wə·šak·ku·lāh wəšakkulāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 17:8 HEB: הֵ֔מָּה כְּדֹ֥ב שַׁכּ֖וּל בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וְאָבִ֙יךָ֙ NAS: like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. KJV: as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: INT: like A bear robbed the field and your father Proverbs 17:12 Songs 4:2 Songs 6:6 Jeremiah 18:21 Hosea 13:8 6 Occurrences |
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