שׁוֹפָךְ (sho.phakh)
sho.phakh
Shophach
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name shophakh refers to an Aramaean military commander active during the era of Israel’s United Monarchy. He appears in the biblical record as a high-ranking officer under King Hadarezer, serving as the chief general of the Syrian forces. The sources identify him by this specific form in 1 Chronicles 19:16 and 18, where he leads the coalition against David.
Lexical data notes that shophakh is an alternative spelling for the more common form shobach (H7731), which appears in 2 Samuel 10:16. While the name is etymologically linked to a root meaning "expansion," its primary function in Scripture is strictly historical, marking the individual who commanded the army defeated by Joab’s forces. The variation in spelling reflects the different textual traditions of Samuel and Chronicles rather than a difference in identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shophach was a high-ranking military commander under King Hadadezer, leading Syrian forces against King David. His name appears in 1 Chronicles 19:16 and 18, where he is identified as the captain of the army defeated by Joab’s troops. This historical record highlights the real-world conflicts Israel faced during the United Monarchy.
While Shophach himself is not a figure of spiritual instruction, his story reminds us that God was actively involved in the history of His people. The defeat of such a powerful coalition shows that human strength cannot stand against divine purpose. We can trust that God remains sovereign over all nations and leaders, guiding events according to His will.
For believers today, this account encourages faith in God’s protection and provision. Just as He delivered Israel from formidable enemies, He cares for those who rely on Him. The Bible records these details not just as history, but as evidence of God’s faithful presence in the lives of His people through every generation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shophach1×
- Shophach1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁוֹפַ֥ךְ1×
- וְ/שׁוֹפַ֛ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 19:16
When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and called out the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer leading them.
This verse identifies Shophach as the leader sent to reinforce Hadadezer's forces, showing his high rank and the scale of the threat against Israel.
-
I Chronicles 19:18
The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army.
Here, Shophach is explicitly named among those killed by David, marking the decisive end of the Syrian coalition's resistance.