Lexical Summary shaqaph: To look out, to look down, to overlook Original Word: שָׁקַף 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 Origina 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, Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Thematic Threadשָׁקַף 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. 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. 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. 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). 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 yašqîp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Genesis 26:8 Exodus 14:24 Numbers 21:20 Numbers 23:28 Deuteronomy 26:15 Judges 5:28 1 Samuel 13:18 2 Samuel 6:16 2 Samuel 24:20 2 Kings 9:30 2 Kings 9:32 1 Chronicles 15:29 Psalm 14:2 Psalm 53:2 Psalm 85:11 Psalm 102:19 Proverbs 7:6 Songs 6:10 Jeremiah 6:1 Lamentations 3:50 22 Occurrences |
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strike, whence following as that against which the door strikes, see Frä20; Arabic 
, to ceil or roof, 
ceiling, roof).