8259. shaqaph
Lexical Summary
shaqaph: To look out, to look down, to overlook

Original Word: שָׁקַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shaqaph
Pronunciation: shah-KAHF
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kaf')
KJV: appear, look (down, forth, out)
NASB: looked down, looked, looks down, grows, look down
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to lean out (of a window)
2. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
appear, look down, forth, out

A primitive root; properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle) -- appear, look (down, forth, out).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to overhang, look out or down
NASB Translation
grows (1), look down (1), looked (6), looked down (8), looks down (3), overlooks* (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. שָׁקַף verb Niph`al Hiph`il overhang, look out and down (Late Hebrew Niph`al Hiph`il = Biblical Hebrew; compare Aramaic שְׁקִיפָא, ;, rocky pinnacle, rock, Arabic ceiling, roof, sky (on connection of meaningscompare Arabic overtop, overlook, from be high; look down upon, from rise); —

Niph`al Perfect3feminine singular נִשְׁקְפָה Judges 5:28+, וְנִשְׁקָ֖פָה Numbers 21:20 (read probably participle הַנִּשְׁקָפָה, compare Numbers 23:28, GBG); 1singular נִשְׁקָ֑פְתּי Proverbs 7:6; Participle נִשְׁקָף Numbers 23:28; 1 Samuel 13:18; Psalm 85:12; feminine נִשְׁקָפָָה Songs 6:10; — lean over (and look), lookdown, with בְּעַד of window, through Judges 5:28; 1 Samuel 2:16 = 1 Chronicles 15:29; Proverbs 7:6; absolute look down, forth Songs 6:10; with מִן of direction whence Jeremiah 6:1; Psalm 85:12 (both figurative); of mountain lean over upon (עַלמְּֿנֵי), overhang Numbers 21:20; Numbers 23:23; 1 Samuel 13:18 (read הַגֶּעַ for הגבול We Dr HPS and others).

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הִשְׁקִיף Psalm 14:2 +; Imperfect3masculine singular יַשְׁקִיף Lamentations 3:50, וַיַּשְׁקֵף Genesis 19:28+, etc.;Imperative masculine singular cohortative הַשְׁקִ֫יפָה Deuteronomy 26:15; — look down (=

Niph`al): with בְּעַד of window Genesis 26:8 (J), 2 Kings 9:30, with אֶל person 2 Kings 9:32; look down upon, עַלמְּֿנֵי, subject person Genesis 18:16; Genesis 19:28 (both J), absolute וַיַּרְא ׳וַיַּשׁ 2 Samuel 24:20 (וַיַּבֵּט in "" 1 Chronicles 21:21); especially subject ׳י, with אֶל location Exodus 14:24 (J); with מִן local Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalm 102:20,+עַל person Psalm 14:2 = Psalm 53:3, + וְיֵ֫רֶא Lamentations 3:50.

II. שׁקף (√ of following; compare Aramaic שְׁקַף, strike, whence following as that against which the door strikes, see Frä20; Arabic , to ceil or roof, ceiling, roof).

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea and Thematic Thread

שָׁקַף consistently expresses the act of looking out or down from an elevated position. Whether the subject is God in His heavenly sanctuary, a king on a roof, or a watchman at a window, the verb carries the sense of authoritative oversight. The elevation is physical in narrative contexts and theological in the Psalms, reinforcing the biblical motif that true perspective belongs to the One who is above.

Divine Observation and Covenant Oversight

The verb most forcefully describes God’s active regard for His covenant people.

Exodus 14:24 – “The LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw it into confusion.” The gaze is not passive; it initiates decisive redemptive action.
Deuteronomy 26:15 – Israel is taught to pray, “Look down from Your holy dwelling, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel…” The salvation event at the sea becomes the model for every subsequent appeal for divine intervention.
Psalm 14:2; Psalm 53:2; Psalm 102:19 – “The LORD looks down from heaven” to assess, to judge, and to rescue. His omniscient scrutiny exposes universal depravity (Psalms 14 and 53) yet also guarantees compassion on a suffering remnant (Psalm 102:19).
Lamentations 3:50 – Hope endures “until the LORD looks down from heaven,” anchoring lament in confidence that the divine gaze will again move Him to mercy.

In these texts שָׁקַף underscores that God oversees history from transcendent height while remaining intimately involved with His people.

Human Vantage Points in Redemptive History

The verb likewise paints critical human moments:

• Patriarchal era: Abraham looks toward Sodom before (Genesis 18:16) and after (Genesis 19:28) judgment, witnessing both impending wrath and accomplished justice.
• Abimelech’s discovery (Genesis 26:8) redirects the narrative toward covenantal protection of the patriarchal line.
Numbers 21:20 and Numbers 23:28 place Israel and Balaam on summits that “overlook the wasteland,” framing the promised land and its surrounding threats from a prophetically charged vista.
• Moses on Nebo echoes the same geography (Deuteronomy 34, though שָׁקַף is not used there), linking the verb to climactic transitions in salvation history.

Window Scenes and the Theology of the Heart

Several domestic or royal windows become theatres of revelation and judgment:

Judges 5:28 – Sisera’s mother “looked through the window,” ignorant of her son’s fate, a literary irony contrasting human blindness with divine omniscience.
2 Samuel 6:16 and 1 Chronicles 15:29 – Michal looks down on David’s worship “and she despised him in her heart,” a warning against prideful criticism of sincere devotion.
2 Kings 9:30, 32 – Jezebel looks out, then Jehu looks up. The opposing gazes precede sudden judgment, demonstrating that human elevation gives no immunity when heaven decrees downfall.
Proverbs 7:6 – The teacher “looked out through my lattice” and discerned the naïve young man, modeling pastoral vigilance.

Military Reconnaissance and Strategic Survey

1 Samuel 13:18; 2 Samuel 24:20; Jeremiah 6:1 employ שָׁקַף in contexts of military movement or looming invasion. The verb thus conveys alertness and urgency; no foe approaches unnoticed. For ministry, the passages commend spiritual watchfulness against encroaching sin and false teaching.

Poetic Personifications

Psalm 85:11 beautifully shifts the verb from literal sight to metaphor: “Righteousness looks down from heaven.” Moral order itself is pictured as observing earth, promising that God’s character will ultimately align human affairs with His holiness.

Song of Songs 6:10 celebrates the beloved “looking forth like the dawn,” turning the elevated gaze into a metaphor of radiant beauty, hinting at the Church’s calling to reflect Christ’s light to the world.

Spiritual and Ministry Significance

1. Assurance of Accountability – Every hidden act lies open before the heavenly gaze (Hebrews 4:13 resonates with the שָׁקַף theme).
2. Invitation to Intercession – Like Moses and the psalmists, believers appeal to God to “look down” in mercy, anchoring prayer in His revealed pattern of compassionate oversight.
3. Call to Watchfulness – Window scenes urge vigilance over one’s own heart and community. Leaders must “look out” for the flock (Acts 20:28) with the same alert concern depicted by שָׁקַף.
4. Eschatological Hope – Ultimately Revelation 21:2–4 portrays God dwelling with humanity; the One who once “looked down” will descend to wipe away every tear, fulfilling the trajectory implicit in the verb.

Summary

Shāqaph weaves through Scripture as a literary lens focusing on authority, judgment, compassion, and worship. Whether from heaven’s throne or a palace window, the act of looking out or down reminds readers that perspective shapes response: God’s sovereign gaze moves Him to redemptive action, while human eyes are called to align with His vision, exercising humble vigilance until faith becomes sight.

Forms and Transliterations
הִ֭שְׁקִיף הִשְׁקִ֪יף הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף הַנִּשְׁקָ֛ף הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה הַשְׁקִיפָה֩ הנשקף הנשקפה השקיף השקיפה וְנִשְׁקָ֖פָה וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ וַיַּשְׁקִ֣יפוּ וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף וַיַּשְׁקֵ֣ף וַיַּשְׁקֵ֤ף וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף וישקיפו וישקף וישקפו ונשקפה ותשקף יַשְׁקִ֣יף ישקיף נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה ׀ נִשְׁקְפָ֥ה נִשְׁקְפָ֧ה נִשְׁקָֽף׃ נִשְׁקָֽפְתִּי׃ נשקף׃ נשקפה נשקפתי׃ han·niš·qā·p̄āh han·niš·qāp̄ hannishKaf hannishkaFah hannišqāp̄ hannišqāp̄āh haš·qî·p̄āh hashkiFah hašqîp̄āh hiš·qîp̄ hishKif hišqîp̄ niš·qā·p̄ə·tî niš·qāp̄ niš·qə·p̄āh nishKaf nishKafeti nishkeFah nišqāp̄ nišqāp̄ətî nišqəp̄āh vaiyashKef vaiyashKifu vattashKef venishKafah wat·taš·qêp̄ wattašqêp̄ way·yaš·qêp̄ way·yaš·qi·p̄ū way·yaš·qî·p̄ū wayyašqêp̄ wayyašqip̄ū wayyašqîp̄ū wə·niš·qā·p̄āh wənišqāp̄āh yaš·qîp̄ yashKif yašqîp̄
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 18:16
HEB: מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ עַל־ פְּנֵ֣י
NAS: up from there, and looked down toward
KJV: rose up from thence, and looked toward
INT: there and the men and looked and toward

Genesis 19:28
HEB: וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף עַל־ פְּנֵ֤י
NAS: and he looked down toward Sodom
KJV: And he looked toward Sodom
INT: looked and toward

Genesis 26:8
HEB: שָׁם֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ
NAS: of the Philistines looked out through
KJV: of the Philistines looked out at
INT: had been there time looked Abimelech king

Exodus 14:24
HEB: בְּאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת הַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיַּשְׁקֵ֤ף יְהוָה֙ אֶל־
NAS: the LORD looked down on the army
KJV: the LORD looked unto the host
INT: watch the morning looked the LORD on

Numbers 21:20
HEB: רֹ֖אשׁ הַפִּסְגָּ֑ה וְנִשְׁקָ֖פָה עַל־ פְּנֵ֥י
KJV: of Pisgah, which looketh toward
INT: the top of Pisgah looketh and toward

Numbers 23:28
HEB: רֹ֣אשׁ הַפְּע֔וֹר הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף עַל־ פְּנֵ֥י
KJV: of Peor, that looketh toward
INT: to the top of Peor looketh and toward

Deuteronomy 26:15
HEB: הַשְׁקִיפָה֩ מִמְּע֨וֹן קָדְשְׁךָ֜
NAS: Look down from Your holy habitation,
KJV: Look down from thy holy habitation,
INT: Look habitation your holy

Judges 5:28
HEB: בְּעַד֩ הַחַלּ֨וֹן נִשְׁקְפָ֧ה וַתְּיַבֵּ֛ב אֵ֥ם
NAS: Out of the window she looked and lamented,
KJV: of Sisera looked out at a window,
INT: through of the window looked and lamented the mother

1 Samuel 13:18
HEB: דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַגְּב֔וּל הַנִּשְׁקָ֛ף עַל־ גֵּ֥י
NAS: the border which overlooks the valley
KJV: of the border that looketh to the valley
INT: toward the border looketh and the valley

2 Samuel 6:16
HEB: בַּת־ שָׁא֜וּל נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה ׀ בְּעַ֣ד הַחַלּ֗וֹן
NAS: of Saul looked out of the window
KJV: daughter looked through a window,
INT: the daughter of Saul looked out of the window

2 Samuel 24:20
HEB: וַיַּשְׁקֵ֣ף אֲרַ֗וְנָה וַיַּ֤רְא
NAS: Araunah looked down and saw the king
KJV: And Araunah looked, and saw the king
INT: looked Araunah and saw

2 Kings 9:30
HEB: אֶת־ רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף בְּעַ֥ד הַחַלּֽוֹן׃
NAS: her head and looked out the window.
KJV: her head, and looked out at a window.
INT: and adorned her head and looked out the window

2 Kings 9:32
HEB: אִתִּ֖י מִ֑י וַיַּשְׁקִ֣יפוּ אֵלָ֔יו שְׁנַ֥יִם
NAS: or three officials looked down at him.
KJV: and said, Who [is] on my side? who? And there looked out to him two
INT: for Who looked to him two

1 Chronicles 15:29
HEB: בַּת־ שָׁא֜וּל נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה ׀ בְּעַ֣ד הַחַלּ֗וֹן
NAS: of Saul looked out of the window
KJV: of Saul looking out at a window
INT: the daughter of Saul looked out of the window

Psalm 14:2
HEB: יְֽהוָ֗ה מִשָּׁמַיִם֮ הִשְׁקִ֪יף עַֽל־ בְּנֵי־
NAS: The LORD has looked down from heaven
KJV: The LORD looked down from heaven
INT: the LORD heaven has looked upon the sons

Psalm 53:2
HEB: אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים מִשָּׁמַיִם֮ הִשְׁקִ֪יף עַֽל־ בְּנֵ֫י
NAS: God has looked down from heaven
KJV: God looked down from heaven
INT: God heaven has looked upon the sons

Psalm 85:11
HEB: וְ֝צֶ֗דֶק מִשָּׁמַ֥יִם נִשְׁקָֽף׃
NAS: And righteousness looks down from heaven.
KJV: and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
INT: and righteousness heaven looks

Psalm 102:19
HEB: כִּֽי־ הִ֭שְׁקִיף מִמְּר֣וֹם קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
NAS: For He looked down from His holy
KJV: For he hath looked down from the height
INT: for looked height his holy

Proverbs 7:6
HEB: בְּעַ֖ד אֶשְׁנַבִּ֣י נִשְׁקָֽפְתִּי׃
NAS: of my house I looked out through
KJV: of my house I looked through my casement,
INT: through my lattice looked

Songs 6:10
HEB: מִי־ זֹ֥את הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה כְּמוֹ־ שָׁ֑חַר
NAS: Who is this that grows like the dawn,
KJV: Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning,
INT: Who that grows like the dawn

Jeremiah 6:1
HEB: כִּ֥י רָעָ֛ה נִשְׁקְפָ֥ה מִצָּפ֖וֹן וְשֶׁ֥בֶר
NAS: For evil looks down from the north,
KJV: for evil appeareth out of the north,
INT: for evil looks the north destruction

Lamentations 3:50
HEB: עַד־ יַשְׁקִ֣יף וְיֵ֔רֶא יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: the LORD looks down And sees
KJV: Till the LORD look down, and behold
INT: Until looks and sees the LORD

22 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8259
22 Occurrences


han·niš·qāp̄ — 2 Occ.
han·niš·qā·p̄āh — 1 Occ.
haš·qî·p̄āh — 1 Occ.
hiš·qîp̄ — 3 Occ.
niš·qāp̄ — 1 Occ.
niš·qā·p̄ə·tî — 1 Occ.
niš·qə·p̄āh — 4 Occ.
way·yaš·qêp̄ — 4 Occ.
way·yaš·qi·p̄ū — 2 Occ.
wat·taš·qêp̄ — 1 Occ.
wə·niš·qā·p̄āh — 1 Occ.
yaš·qîp̄ — 1 Occ.

8258
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