Lexical Summary shilluchah or sheluchah: Sending away, dismissal, or divorce Original Word: שׁלֻּחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance branch Feminine of shilluwach; a shoot -- branch. see HEBREW shilluwach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalach Definition a shoot, branch NASB Translation tendrils (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שְׁלוּחָה] noun feminine shoot, branch (compare I. שֶׁלַח 2); — plural suffix שְׁלוּחֹתֶיהָ Isaiah 16:8, of vine of Sibmah (east of Jordan). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Shilluchah appears one time in Scripture, in Isaiah 16:8, describing the “shoots” of Moab’s celebrated vines: “Their shoots spread out and reached the sea” (Berean Standard Bible). Geographical and Agricultural Context Isaiah’s oracle addresses Moab, whose fertile plateau produced renowned wines. Heshbon and Sibmah (Isaiah 16:8) lay north of the Arnon River; their vineyards climbed the limestone terraces, drawing moisture from abundant springs. Ancient trade routes carried Moabite wine as far as Jazer and the “sea” (normally understood as the Dead Sea, though some argue for the Mediterranean). Shilluchah thus evokes vigorous tendrils extending well beyond local borders—an image of commercial reach and national pride. Symbolism of Expansion and Influence Vine shoots in the Old Testament frequently symbolize growth, blessing, and far-flung influence (Genesis 49:22; Psalm 80:11). By employing shilluchah, Isaiah taps that common metaphor while simultaneously announcing its reversal. Moab’s once-flourishing influence will be curtailed; the shoots that once “spread out” will wither under divine judgment (Isaiah 16:7–10). The same God who grants fruitfulness can also prune unfruitful or arrogant branches (compare John 15:2). Prophetic Message in Isaiah 16 1. Divine sovereignty over nations: Moab’s demise is neither random nor political misfortune; it is the result of Yahweh’s righteous decree (Isaiah 16:13). Intertextual Echoes Psalm 80:11—“It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River”—mirrors Isaiah’s language and underscores a larger biblical theme: God plants a people to bless the world, yet He expects covenant faithfulness. Israel, Moab, and later the church (Romans 11:17–22) all stand or fall by that standard. Theological Themes • Blessing and Responsibility: Fruitfulness is a gift to steward, not a trophy to parade (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). Practical Ministry Application 1. Missions and Outreach: Shilluchah encourages believers to let the gospel “shoots” extend to the spiritual desert and the sea of humanity, confident that God designed His vine to spread (Matthew 28:19). Shilluchah, though occurring only once, provides a vivid lens through which Scripture teaches the delicate balance between God-given expansion and God-ordained accountability. Forms and Transliterations שְׁלֻ֣חוֹתֶ֔יהָ שלחותיה šə·lu·ḥō·w·ṯe·hā šəluḥōwṯehā sheLuchoTeihaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 16:8 HEB: תָּ֣עוּ מִדְבָּ֑ר שְׁלֻ֣חוֹתֶ֔יהָ נִטְּשׁ֖וּ עָ֥בְרוּ NAS: to the deserts; Its tendrils spread KJV: [through] the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, INT: wandered to the deserts tendrils spread out passed 1 Occurrence |
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