שְׁחוֹר (she.chor)

she.chor

blackness

H7815 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

H:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-F

Word Overview

The noun shachor denotes a state of profound blackness or darkness, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Lamentations 4:8. In this context, it describes the physical appearance of those who have suffered extreme trauma, their skin darkened and shriveled beyond recognition due to famine and violence.

While some lexical resources note a secondary association with "pit," the primary sense in Scripture is visual and visceral. The word captures the stark contrast between life’s vitality and the grim reality of death, serving as a powerful image of devastation in the book of Lamentations.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word shachor appears only once in Scripture, painting a harrowing picture of devastation in Lamentations 4:8. It describes skin darkened to the color of coal, shriveled and unrecognizable due to extreme suffering. This vivid imagery reminds us that God sees the deepest depths of human pain and the reality of our broken world.

Yet this stark description does not leave us in despair. The Bible acknowledges our darkest moments without ignoring them. In the midst of such profound grief, we find a God who is present with us. His love remains steady even when our circumstances seem hopeless.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

more than/ soot1×

Forms in the text

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

מִ/שְּׁחוֹר֙1×

Key Verses

Lamentations 4:8
Their appearance is blacker than a coal. They are not known in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones. It is withered. It has become like wood.

This verse uses shachor to describe skin blackened like coal, emphasizing the physical toll of famine and violence on the people of Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does shachor mean in the Bible?

Shachor is a Hebrew noun meaning blackness or darkness. It appears only once in Lamentations 4:8 to describe skin darkened by suffering.

Why is this word significant?

Its single occurrence highlights the severity of judgment and human suffering in Lamentations. It serves as a raw, honest depiction of grief before God.

How does it relate to other words for darkness?

It is closely related to choshek (H2822), which generally means darkness or gloom. While choshek describes the absence of light, shachor focuses on the quality of blackness.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Lamentations 1 verse

Lamentations 4:8

Their appearance is blacker than a coal. They are not known in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones. It is…