7681. Shage or Shageh

Lexical Summary

Shage or Shageh: To err, to go astray, to wander

Original Word: שָׁגֶא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shage'
Pronunciation: shaw-GAY
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-gay')
KJV: Shage
NASB: Shagee
Word Origin: [probably from H7686 (שָׁגָה - reel)]

1. erring
2. Shage, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Shage

Probably from shagah; erring; Shage, an Israelite -- Shage.

see HEBREW shagah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from shagah
Definition
father of one of David's heroes
NASB Translation
Shagee (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שָׁגֵה (שָׁגֵא van d. H.) proper name, masculine father of a hero of David 1 Chronicles 11:34. — B Σωλα, A Σαγη, ᵐ5^L Σαμαια.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

Shage (Strong’s Hebrew 7681, שָׁגֶא) appears once, in the catalog of David’s elite warriors: “... Jonathan son of Shage the Hararite” (1 Chronicles 11:34). The parallel roster in 2 Samuel 23 omits Shage’s name, showing that the Chronicler preserved a detail otherwise lost.

Historical Setting

The Chronicler compiled 1 Chronicles during or after the exile to remind the returning community of its covenant heritage. By naming Shage, the writer reinforces the continuity between the restored community and David’s united kingdom. Shage belonged to “the thirty,” a corps of seasoned fighters who risked their lives for David both before and after he became king (1 Chronicles 11:10–25). The title “Hararite” probably denotes origin in the hill country of Judah or Ephraim, indicating that David’s support base already spanned tribal boundaries—a foreshadowing of the future unity under the Messiah.

Personal and Familial Significance

Though Scripture records no exploits of Shage himself, the text highlights his son. Jonathan’s valor reflects on his father’s character and training, illustrating how faithfulness in one generation often bears fruit in the next (Psalm 78:5–7). Shage’s inclusion in the list testifies that God values not only public victories but also the silent forging of character and legacy.

Theological Implications

1. Divine Memory: Even unnamed deeds are remembered in God’s record (Hebrews 6:10).
2. Corporate Solidarity: The Chronicler’s list underscores that Israel’s strength rested in a company of committed individuals, not merely in David alone; each warrior’s presence enlarged the king’s effectiveness (1 Samuel 22:2; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
3. Covenant Continuity: Mentioning lesser-known figures links the post-exilic community to God’s earlier acts, assuring them that the same covenant-keeping Lord still governs their story.

Ministry Applications

• Hidden Service: Shage encourages believers who labor without recognition. Their obedience may raise up “Jonathans” whose public ministry surpasses their own (3 John 4).
• Generational Discipleship: Parents and mentors shape future champions by modeling courage and loyalty (Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 1:5).
• Team Dynamics: Effective leadership depends on faithful supporters; churches flourish when every member accepts a vital, even if unnoticed, role (1 Corinthians 12:22–25).

Christological Reflection

David’s mighty men prefigure the followers of the Son of David. Jesus gathers disciples from diverse backgrounds (“Hararites,” fishermen, tax collectors) and assigns each a place in His mission. The seemingly obscure disciple, like Shage, contributes to the advance of God’s kingdom, ultimately magnifying the true King (Luke 22:28–30; Revelation 19:14).

Lessons for Today

Shage’s solitary mention challenges contemporary believers to embrace quiet faithfulness, invest in others, and trust that God weaves every obedient life into His redemptive narrative.

Forms and Transliterations

שָׁגֵ֖ה שגה šā·ḡêh šāḡêh shaGeh

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 11:34
HEB: יוֹנָתָ֥ן בֶּן־ שָׁגֵ֖ה הַהֲרָרִֽי׃ ס
NAS: the son of Shagee the Hararite,
KJV: the son of Shage the Hararite,
INT: Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 7681
1 Occurrence

šā·ḡêh — 1 Occ.