שְׁאֵל (she.el)

she.el

to ask

H7593 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 6 verses

A:V

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 6 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb she’el means simply to ask, whether by requesting something specific or seeking information. With only six occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel, reflecting its use in official or diplomatic contexts where clarity and precision were essential.

In these texts, the word often describes formal inquiries made between nations or leaders. For instance, in Daniel 4:9, the king asks for a wise interpretation, using she’el to denote a direct request for insight rather than casual conversation. This usage highlights its function as a tool for obtaining knowledge or securing permission within structured relationships.

Unlike broader terms for asking that might imply begging or pleading, she’el carries a neutral tone of inquiry. It focuses on the act of posing a question or making a demand without necessarily conveying emotional intensity. This makes it suitable for the administrative and prophetic dialogues found in these historical books.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew verb she’el simply means to ask. It appears in only six verses of the Old Testament, mostly in the books of Ezra and Daniel. In these texts, it describes formal inquiries between leaders or nations. The word carries a neutral tone, focusing on the act of posing a question rather than begging or pleading emotionally.

This clarity helps us understand how we approach God. When we seek His guidance, we do not need to fear that our questions are too bold or inappropriate. Like Daniel asking for insight into a king’s dream, we can bring our requests directly to the Lord. He values honest inquiry and provides wisdom to those who seek it with sincerity.

Whether you are looking for direction in daily decisions or trying to understand difficult circumstances, remember that asking is a natural part of faith. God invites us to come to Him with our needs and questions. You can trust that He hears your voice and responds according to His perfect will and timing.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.

we asked2×
[is] asking2×
he will ask for/ you1×
he has asked1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

שָׁאֵל֙1×
שָׁאֵ֔ל1×
שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא1×
שְׁאֵ֙לְנָא֙1×
שְׁאֵ֔ל1×
יִ֠שְׁאֲלֶנְ/כוֹן1×

Key Verses

Daniel 2:10
The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler has asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean.

This verse highlights the impossibility of human wisdom alone, showing that the king’s demand was beyond what any magician or enchanter could answer.
Daniel 2:11
It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

Here the Chaldeans emphasize the rarity of the request, noting that only gods who dwell with flesh could reveal such a secret.
Ezra 5:9
Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”

The officials use this term when formally asking the elders about the decree that authorized the rebuilding of the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word she’el mean?

She’el simply means to ask. It is used in the Old Testament primarily for formal inquiries or requests for information, rather than emotional pleas.

Where does this word appear most often?

It appears only six times in the Bible, mostly in Ezra and Daniel. These passages show leaders making official requests or seeking answers to difficult questions.

How is she’el different from other words for asking?

Unlike words that might imply begging or desperate pleading, she’el has a neutral tone. It focuses on the clarity of the question rather than the emotion behind it.

Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 5:9

Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”

Ezra 5:10

We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.

Ezra 7:21

I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the…

Daniel 3 verses