שֵׁגָל (she.gal)
she.gal
queen
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun shegal refers to a queen or royal consort, appearing just once in the Hebrew Bible within Nehemiah 2:6. In this specific context, King Artaxerxes asks Queen Esther about her request and the reason for her sadness, highlighting the term’s use for the wife of a reigning monarch.
Lexical sources identify shegal as the Hebrew equivalent of the Aramaic word with the same spelling and meaning. This linguistic connection reflects the bilingual nature of the Persian Empire, where administrative and courtly language often blended Hebrew and Aramaic forms. The term denotes the female partner in a royal marriage rather than a queen regnant who rules in her own right.
Its rarity in Scripture underscores its specific function as a title for a king’s wife within the imperial court setting. By limiting its usage to this single narrative moment, the text emphasizes Esther’s unique position and influence as the monarch’s consort during a critical political crisis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shegal appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, marking Queen Esther as the royal consort beside King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2:6. This rare term highlights her unique position not just as a wife, but as an active participant in court life and political decision-making.
For believers today, this single occurrence reminds us that God places people in specific roles to influence their surroundings for good. Esther’s presence at the king’s side shows how ordinary faithfulness can intersect with extraordinary historical moments. Her story encourages us to trust that our current positions, however small they may seem, are part of a larger divine plan.
When we face uncertainty or high-stakes situations, remembering Esther’s quiet courage can bring comfort. It is not about having all the answers, but about remaining faithful where God has placed us, knowing He uses even the most unexpected moments for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ queen-consort1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/שֵּׁגַ֣ל\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 2:6
The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “How long will your journey be? When will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time for him.
This verse uniquely identifies Esther as the shegal sitting beside the king, emphasizing her active role in the royal court during a critical moment of political tension.