שְׁכֶם (she.khem)
she.khem
shoulder
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shekem refers to the shoulder or, more broadly, the back area of the body. With seventeen occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears most frequently in Genesis and Isaiah, serving as a concrete anatomical term rather than an abstract concept. The word identifies the physical structure that supports weight and enables movement.
This term carries significant narrative weight because of its literal connection to burden-bearing. In Genesis 50:9, Joseph’s brothers carry his body on their shoulders, using shekem to describe the physical act of transport. Similarly, in Isaiah 9:4, the word describes the yoke that is broken from the shoulder, symbolizing the removal of oppression and labor. The imagery is always tangible: it is the part of the body that bears load.
The root meaning remains consistent across its uses. Whether describing the act of carrying a corpse or the metaphorical breaking of a yoke, shekem points to human capacity for labor and the relief from heavy duties. Translators typically render it simply as "shoulder," preserving the physical reality that anchors these biblical scenes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shekem refers simply to the shoulder, the physical part of the body designed to carry weight. In the Old Testament, this term appears in moments where people bear heavy loads, whether it is a water jar, a stone from the Jordan, or the burden of oppression. It reminds us that carrying something is a tangible act of endurance and responsibility.
For your faith life, this imagery offers comfort. When you feel weighed down by daily struggles or past mistakes, remember that God promises to remove the yoke of oppression (Isaiah 10:27). You do not have to carry everything alone. The same strength that allows a person to bear a load is sustained by divine grace.
Consider how Joseph’s brothers carried his body on their shoulders in Genesis 50:9. It was an act of honor and duty, showing respect even in grief. Similarly, when you face difficult tasks, view them not just as burdens, but as opportunities to serve with dignity. God sees your effort and provides the strength to continue.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shoulder/ his5×
- shoulder/ her3×
- from/ shoulder/ his2×
- a shoulder2×
- shoulder/ your1×
- shoulder/ their1×
- shoulder/ my1×
- shoulder/ its1×
- [the] shoulder of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁכְמ֑/וֹ2×
- שִׁכְמ/וֹ֙2×
- שְׁכֶ֥ם2×
- שִׁכְמָֽ/ם\׃1×
- שִׁכְמָֽ/הּ\׃1×
- שִׁכְמָ֛/הּ1×
- שִׁכְמָ֔/הּ1×
- שִׁכְמֶ֔/ךָ1×
- שִׁכְמ֖/וֹ1×
- שִׁכְמ֔/וֹ1×
- שִׁ֭כְמִ/י1×
- שְׁכֶ֣ם1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 10:27
It will happen in that day that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
Here the word signifies the removal of a heavy burden, symbolizing God’s deliverance from oppression and the end of forced labor.
-
Exodus 12:34
The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
The Israelites carried their dough on their shoulders during the hasty departure from Egypt, illustrating urgent obedience and readiness to move.
-
Isaiah 22:22
I will lay the key of David’s house on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open.
Placing a key on someone’s shoulder signifies granting them authority and responsibility over the household of David.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shekem mean in the Bible?
Why is the shoulder important in biblical symbolism?
How is shekem different from other words for burden?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 8 books)
Genesis 6 verses
Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of…
Genesis 21:14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her…
Genesis 24:15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of…
Genesis 24:45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…
Genesis 48:22Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword…
Genesis 49:15He saw a resting place, that it was good, the land, that it was pleasant. He bows his shoulder to the burden, and…