Lexical Summary shoqeth: Trough, Watering Trough Original Word: שֹׁקֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance trough From shaqah; a trough (for watering) -- trough. see HEBREW shaqah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaqah Definition watering trough NASB Translation trough (1), troughs (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֹׁ֫קֶת, [שֵׁ֫קֶת] noun feminine watering-trough (Ges§ 95f BaZMG xli (1887), 605; Arabic  irrigating canal,  watering-place, drinking vessel); — absolute ׳הַשּׁ Genesis 24:20 (J); plural construct שִׁקֲתוֺת הַמַּיִם Genesis 30:38 (J). Topical Lexicon Definition and Physical Setting שֹׁקֶת designates a hewn stone or wooden channel large enough to hold water for herds and flocks. Unlike a well or cistern, the trough is an open, accessible container situated at ground level so that beasts of burden and smaller livestock can drink simultaneously. In patriarchal times it was normally placed near a community well or a spring, where travelers, shepherds, and resident households converged. Biblical Occurrences Genesis 24:20 presents Rebekah hastening to “empty her jar into the trough” for Abraham’s ten camels. Genesis 30:38 portrays Jacob arranging peeled branches “in all the watering troughs” to influence the breeding of Laban’s flocks. Although the term appears only twice, these scenes frame two pivotal turning-points in the Abrahamic narrative: the choice of Isaac’s bride and the multiplication of Jacob’s wages. Themes and Theology 1. Hospitality and Servanthood Historical and Cultural Background Nomadic and semi-nomadic societies of the second millennium B.C. regularly carved basins near wells to expedite watering large caravans. Archaeological parallels from Ebla and Mari depict stone troughs roughly one cubit deep with inward-sloping sides. The labor of drawing water was typically delegated to women or younger household members, which explains Rebekah’s presence at the well and the astonishment of Abraham’s servant at her strength and diligence. Links to New Testament Principles • Diakonia (service) in Acts 6:1-4 echoes Rebekah’s self-sacrificing act: practical service precedes and adorns spiritual calling. Practical Ministry Insights ● The unnoticed “trough ministries” of the church—setting up chairs, preparing meals, maintaining facilities—often become the arena where God identifies faithful servants for larger assignments. ● Joseph-like administrative skills (Genesis 41:39-40) and Jacob-like creative problem solving both have a place, yet motives must be examined to avoid Laban-like exploitation. ● Rural congregations can draw from these texts to emphasize stewardship of land and animals as an act of worship. Key References Genesis 24:20; Genesis 30:38; Psalm 23:1-2; Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:10; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:2; James 2:15-17 Forms and Transliterations בְּשִֽׁקֲת֣וֹת בשקתות הַשֹּׁ֔קֶת השקת bə·ši·qă·ṯō·wṯ beshikaTot bəšiqăṯōwṯ haš·šō·qeṯ hashShoket haššōqeṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:20 HEB: כַּדָּהּ֙ אֶל־ הַשֹּׁ֔קֶת וַתָּ֥רָץ ע֛וֹד NAS: her jar into the trough, and ran KJV: her pitcher into the trough, and ran INT: her jar into the trough and ran back Genesis 30:38 2 Occurrences |
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