שָׁלִישׁ (sha.lish)
sha.lish
third; triangle; officer
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shaliysh fundamentally means "third," but in Scripture it rarely refers to simple division. Instead, it appears as a technical term for specific roles and objects defined by their tripartite nature or rank. In military contexts, it denotes an officer who stands third in command, serving as an adjutant or shield bearer to a superior, a role highlighted in the narratives of II Kings where these officials manage royal duties.
The word also identifies a musical instrument, likely one with three strings or a triangular frame, such as a sistrum. This usage connects the term to worship and celebration, appearing alongside other instruments in passages like 1 Samuel 18:6. The connection between the number three and these distinct functions suggests that "third" was not just a quantity but a category of specialized service.
Translators often render shaliysh as "third" or "officer," depending on whether the context involves hierarchy or music. This lexical flexibility shows how ancient Hebrew used numerical roots to define professional identities and liturgical tools, grounding abstract concepts of order in concrete, three-part realities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shaliysh literally means "third," yet Scripture rarely uses it for simple counting. Instead, it marks a specific rank or structure, often describing an officer who stands third in command or serves as a shield-bearer to a king. This role required immense trust and proximity to power, showing that God values those who serve faithfully in the shadows of leadership.
It also appears in worship contexts, naming musical instruments like the sistrum. Here, the "third" element highlights how ancient Israelites used numerical order to define their praise. Whether in military hierarchy or temple music, this word reminds us that every position, no matter how specialized, contributes to the whole community's life and faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ officer3×
- officers/ his2×
- officer/ his2×
- the/ three1×
- the/ officers1×
- officers1×
- in <the>/ third of a measure1×
- and/ with/ three-stringed instruments1×
- and/ to the/ officers1×
- and/ the/ officers1×
- and/ officers/ his1×
- and/ officers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שָּׁלִ֜ישׁ2×
- שָׁלִישָׁ֔י/ו1×
- שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים1×
- שָׁלִישׁ֗/וֹ1×
- שָֽׁלִשָׁ֖י/ו1×
- שָֽׁלִשׁ֔/וֹ1×
- וּ/בְ/שָׁלִשִֽׁים\׃1×
- וְ/שָׁלִשָׁ֔י/ו1×
- וְ/שָׁלִשִׁ֖ם1×
- וְ/לַ/שָּׁלִשִׁ֜ים1×
- וְ/הַ/שָּׁ֣לִשִׁ֔ים1×
- הַ/שָּׁלִשִׁ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 7:2
Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, “Behold, if Yahweh made windows in heaven, could this thing be?” He said, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.”
This verse highlights the captain who leans on the king's hand, illustrating the intimate trust required of a shaliysh in royal service.
-
I Samuel 18:6
As they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
The term identifies a musical instrument used by women celebrating David’s victory, connecting the word to joyful worship rather than just military rank.
-
II Kings 7:19
and that captain answered the man of God, and said, “Now, behold, if Yahweh made windows in heaven, might such a thing be?” and he said, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.”
Here the same captain repeats his doubt, emphasizing how this specific officer’s skepticism frames the prophecy of miraculous provision.