שָׁאַל (sha.al)
sha.al
to ask
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 150 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha’al means to ask, request, or inquire. It covers a wide range of interactions, from seeking information to borrowing items or consulting a deity. In the Old Testament, it appears frequently in historical books like 1 Samuel and Judges, reflecting its use in everyday speech and formal inquiries.
Its meaning shifts with context. When used for borrowing, as in Exodus 3:22 where Israelites ask for vessels from Egyptians, it implies a temporary request. When directed toward God or an oracle, it means to seek guidance or counsel. The sources note that it can also mean to demand or beg, showing its flexibility across social and spiritual situations.
A notable feature is its use in consulting divine sources. In Judges 4:20, the verb describes asking for information, while in other passages, it refers to seeking God’s will. This dual use highlights how ancient Israelites blended practical needs with spiritual dependence, using the same word for both earthly requests and heavenly guidance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter the Hebrew word sha'al, we see a simple verb for asking that covers everything from borrowing silver to seeking divine guidance. It reminds us that inquiry is a natural part of life. Whether you are wondering about daily needs or searching for direction in difficult times, bringing your questions forward is an honest and human response.
In Exodus 13:14, parents are instructed to answer their children’s questions about the Exodus with clarity. This shows that faith grows through dialogue. You do not need to have all the answers immediately; you only need to be willing to listen and respond with truth. God invites us to bring our uncertainties into the open rather than hiding them.
This word encourages a posture of dependence. When Moses or Joshua sought direction, they used sha'al to consult leaders or God directly. It suggests that wisdom is often found in community and in turning toward heaven. Let your questions lead you closer to understanding His character and His promises for your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 150 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ask18×
- and/ he asked11×
- and/ he enquired10×
- to/ ask7×
- and/ they asked6×
- you asked5×
- he asked4×
- and/ they enquired4×
- [am] asking4×
- they asked3×
- certainly <to ask>3×
- you have asked for2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁאַל\־6×
- וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל6×
- וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל5×
- לִ/שְׁא֤וֹל3×
- וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֥ל3×
- שֹׁאֵ֨ל2×
- שֹׁאֵ֣ל2×
- שָׁאָ֔לָה2×
- שָׁאָ֔ל2×
- שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי2×
- שָׁאַ֣ל2×
- שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ2×
Key Verses
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Exodus 13:14
It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.
This verse establishes the word as a tool for intergenerational faith transmission, where children's questions prompt parents to recount God's deliverance.
-
Deuteronomy 4:32
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been anything as great as this thing is, or has been heard like it?
Here the verb is used rhetorically to challenge Israel to seek historical evidence of God's unique power, framing inquiry as a path to awe.
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Exodus 12:36
Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.
The narrative shows that asking for material resources was part of God's plan for justice, resulting in favor and provision for the Israelites.
-
Genesis 24:47
I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
Abraham’s servant uses this verb to verify identity, demonstrating its role in practical discernment and confirming God's guidance in daily decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sha'al mean in the Old Testament?
How is asking related to faith in these verses?
Does this word imply demanding or begging?
Every Occurrence (150 verses across 26 books)
Genesis 9 verses
I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to…
Genesis 24:57They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
Genesis 26:7The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest,…
Genesis 37:15A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you looking for?”
Genesis 38:21Then he asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?” They said, “There…
Genesis 40:7He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
Genesis 43:7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still…
Genesis 43:27He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
Genesis 44:19My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’