Lexical Summary shiphah: Maidservant, female servant, handmaid Original Word: שִׁפְעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abundance, company, multitude Feminine of shepha'; copiousness -- abundance, company, multitude. see HEBREW shepha' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of shepha Definition abundance, quantity NASB Translation abundance (2), company (2), multitude (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שִׁפְעָה], שִׁפְעַת noun feminine abundance, quantity; — apparently absolute שִׁפְעַת 2 Kings 9:17, a multitude (of men), (Bur שִׁפְעָה, or שִׁפְעַת אֲנָשִׁים as Klo Benz and others; > ᵐ5B Kit עָפָר); construct שִׁפְעַת יֵהוּא 2 Kings 9:17 Jehu's multitude; construct, of horses Ezekiel 26:10, camels Isaiah 60:6; of waters Job 22:11; Job 38:34. Topical Lexicon Overview The noun שִׁפְעָה portrays an overwhelming abundance—whether of soldiers, water, animals, or wealth. In every setting it highlights magnitude that either blesses or judges, underscoring the Lord’s sovereign ability to give or to withhold in superlative measure. Occurrences and Contexts • 2 Kings 9:17 – The watchman in Jezreel sees “a company” of Jehu’s men, a visual sign that the Lord’s prophetic word of judgment against Ahab’s house is now advancing inexorably. Semantic Range שִׁפְעָה spans concrete and figurative senses: 1. Military might (2 Kings 9:17; Ezekiel 26:10). The common denominator is sheer quantity that engulfs and transforms its object. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern literature often measures greatness by mass—armies, caravans, or floods. Scripture adopts this cultural language yet roots it in covenant theology: abundance is never random but directed by the covenant-keeping God. Jehu’s company fulfills Elijah’s charge; Tyre’s downfall fulfills Ezekiel’s oracle; Zion’s caravan fulfills Isaiah’s vision of Gentile homage. Thus שִׁפְעָה becomes a narrative hinge between prophetic word and historical realization. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty: Only the Lord commands “a flood of water” (Job 38:34) and marshals hosts (Ezekiel 26:10). Practical Ministry Applications • Encourage believers that God’s provision is not scant but abundant; Isaiah 60:6 invites confidence in missionary fruitfulness and material sufficiency for Gospel advance. Summary Whether depicting cavalry dust, caravans of camels, or torrents from the heavens, שִׁפְעָה testifies to the God who works in superlatives—granting or withholding abundance according to His redemptive design. Forms and Transliterations וְֽשִׁפְעַת־ ושפעת־ מִשִּׁפְעַ֥ת משפעת שִֽׁפְעַ֨ת שִׁפְעַ֖ת שִׁפְעַ֤ת שפעת miš·šip̄·‘aṯ mishshifAt miššip̄‘aṯ shifAt šip̄‘aṯ šip̄·‘aṯ veshifat wə·šip̄·‘aṯ- wəšip̄‘aṯ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 9:17 HEB: וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־ שִׁפְעַ֤ת יֵהוּא֙ בְּבֹא֔וֹ NAS: and he saw the company of Jehu KJV: and he spied the company of Jehu INT: Jezreel saw the company of Jehu came 2 Kings 9:17 Job 22:11 Job 38:34 Isaiah 60:6 Ezekiel 26:10 6 Occurrences |