Lexical Summary shoal: Fox Original Word: שֹׁעַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance handful, hollow of the hand From an unused root meaning to hollow out; the palm; by extension, a handful -- handful, hollow of the hand. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition hollow hand, handful NASB Translation handfuls (2), hollow of his hand (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שֹׁ֫עַל] noun [masculine] hollow hand, handful; — 1 hollow hand: suffix בְּשָׁעֳלוֺ Isaiah 40:12 (figurative of ׳י holding waters). 2 handful: plural שְׁעָלִים 1 Kings 20:10 (dust, in hyperb.); construct שַׁעֲלֵי שְׂעֹרִים (as if from [שַׁ֫עַל] Kö ii. l. 35) Ezekiel 13:19 handfuls of barley. Topical Lexicon Literal Meaning and Cultural Imagery שֹׁעַל denotes the hollow of the hand—a small, cupped space capable of holding only a modest quantity. In ancient Near-Eastern life this “handful” served as an informal unit of measure for grain, dust, or other loose material. The term calls to mind both the poverty of human capacity and the intimate nearness of whatever is held. Occurrences and Narrative Settings 1 Kings 20:10 portrays Ben-hadad’s arrogant threat: “If enough dust remains in Samaria to provide each of my troops with a handful”. A single שֹׁעַל of dust would supposedly be too much for the besieged city to retain—an ironic boast quickly overturned by the Lord’s deliverance of Israel. Isaiah 40:12 contrasts that human frailty with God’s majesty: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand…?”. The same unit that cannot hold more than a few kernels of grain is, in the divine hand, large enough to contain the oceans. Ezekiel 13:19 exposes false prophets who “profane Me…for handfuls of barley,” exchanging truth for the most trivial payment. The prophet underscores how a mere שֹׁעַל of produce can purchase deceit and injustice when hearts are hardened. Theological Themes Humbling Human Pride. Ben-hadad’s boast shows how a “handful” becomes a symbol of overconfidence. The Lord’s subsequent victory (1 Kings 20:13–21) illustrates that no threat—however loudly proclaimed—can stand against God’s decree. Divine Sovereignty. Isaiah uses שֹׁעַל to magnify the Creator’s omnipotence: what is minute to humanity is immeasurable in His grasp. This rhetorical device sustains the larger argument of Isaiah 40, comforting Israel in exile by exalting the Lord above all nations and idols. Moral Accountability. Ezekiel’s oracle demonstrates that even the smallest bribe invites divine censure. The Lord’s concern for justice extends to “handful” transactions, revealing His meticulous righteousness. Contrast Between Divine and Human Hands Human hands: limited, easily emptied, prone to grasping for self-advancement (Genesis 3:6; James 4:2). God’s hand: limitless, sustaining creation (Psalm 95:4), protecting His people (John 10:28), and judging the wicked (Hebrews 10:31). שֹׁעַל sharpens this contrast by using the same image—an open palm—to depict both impotence and omnipotence. Christological Perspective The Gospel reveals the incarnate Son placing His own hands upon the sick (Mark 1:41) and finally stretching them out on the cross (John 20:27). The One who “measured the waters in the hollow of His hand” submitted those hands to nails for human redemption, fulfilling Isaiah’s vision of the sovereign yet servant Lord (Isaiah 52:13–53:12). Practical Ministry Application Stewardship. Believers are reminded that whatever fits in a שֹׁעַל is entrusted by God and must be managed faithfully (Luke 16:10). Preaching against Pride. 1 Kings 20 encourages proclamation that God humbles boastful rulers and protects His covenant people. Guarding Truth. Ezekiel 13 warns pastors and teachers that even small benefits must never sway their message (1 Timothy 6:10). Integrity is proved in “handful” decisions. Devotional Reflection Hold a literal handful of soil and meditate on how little it is. Yet Isaiah says God holds oceans the same way. This simple exercise moves the heart from self-reliance to worshipful trust (Psalm 131). Related Biblical Concepts • Span (Isaiah 40:12) – another measure of the hand emphasizing God’s cosmic reach. Summary שֹׁעַל is more than an archaic unit; it is Scripture’s visual aid for exposing human limitation, affirming God’s supremacy, and calling His people to humble, truthful service. Forms and Transliterations בְּשַׁעֲלֵ֣י בְּשָׁעֳל֜וֹ בשעלו בשעלי לִשְׁעָלִ֕ים לשעלים bə·ša·‘ă·lê bə·šā·‘o·lōw bəša‘ălê bəšā‘olōw beshaaLei beshooLo liš‘ālîm liš·‘ā·lîm lishaLimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 20:10 HEB: עֲפַ֣ר שֹׁמְר֔וֹן לִשְׁעָלִ֕ים לְכָל־ הָעָ֖ם NAS: will suffice for handfuls for all KJV: shall suffice for handfuls for all the people INT: the dust of Samaria handfuls for all the people Isaiah 40:12 Ezekiel 13:19 3 Occurrences |
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