שָׁלָה (sha.lah)
sha.lah
to extract
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.lah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 27:8. In this specific context, it means to draw out or extract something from a person. The passage uses the word to describe the fate of the wicked, suggesting that their inner qualities or perhaps even their very lives are pulled away by divine judgment.
Because this is its sole occurrence, the word’s range is narrow and defined entirely by Job 27:8. It conveys a sense of forceful removal rather than gentle release. The imagery implies that what belongs to someone can be seized and taken out against their will, highlighting the suddenness and finality of loss for those who reject God.
Translators typically render this rare verb as "draw out" or "extract." Its scarcity makes it a unique lexical marker in Job’s discourse on the nature of retribution. The word underscores the theological point that no one can escape the consequences of their actions, as even the most hidden aspects of their being are exposed and removed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha.lah appears only once in Scripture, carrying a heavy weight of finality. In Job 27:8, it describes how God removes the life and hope of the godless. This is not a gentle release but a forceful extraction of what they held dear.
For those who trust in God, this verse offers a sobering contrast. While the wicked face sudden loss, believers find their hope anchored in something that cannot be extracted or taken away. Your security rests in His faithfulness, not in your own standing.
This rare word reminds us that true hope is secure. When life feels uncertain, remember that God holds your future firmly. You can rest in the assurance that He will never withdraw His love from those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will take away1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֵ֖שֶׁל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
The verb sha.lah describes the forceful removal of life and hope from the godless, emphasizing the finality of divine judgment.