שָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh)
sha.lakh
to throw
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 100 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.lakh describes the forceful act of throwing, casting, or hurling something away from oneself. It appears in over a hundred verses, often depicting physical actions like discarding objects into fire or water, as seen when Moses threw the golden calf’s remains into the stream (Exodus 32:20). The word conveys decisive movement, whether casting lots for division or flinging stones in battle.
Its meaning extends beyond simple motion to include rejection and removal. In figurative usage, it describes casting off burdens or discarding idols, emphasizing a permanent separation from what is being thrown. Translators typically render it as "cast," "throw," or "hurl," capturing the abruptness of the action. The prepositions following the verb clarify direction, indicating where the object lands or who receives the impact.
The word’s strength lies in its finality. To sha.lakh is not to gently place but to eject, often signaling a break in relationship or status. This is evident when enemies are cast down or when people reject divine instruction by casting off God’s commands (Ezekiel 20:8). The physical violence of the action mirrors spiritual consequences, making it a powerful term for both literal disposal and metaphorical abandonment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sha.lakh describes a forceful act of throwing or casting something away. It is not a gentle placement but a decisive movement that signals finality. In Scripture, this action often marks a clear break from the past, whether discarding idols, removing impurity, or rejecting harmful influences. The physical violence of the throw mirrors spiritual consequences, emphasizing that some things must be completely removed to make room for God’s presence.
For your faith life, this word invites you to consider what needs to be cast aside. Just as Moses threw the golden calf into the fire or Joshua cast lots to divide land, believers are called to decisively reject sin and trust in God’s direction. This is not about anger but about clarity. When you let go of burdens or idols, you create space for God’s peace to take root.
Even in difficult seasons, this verb reminds us that God can transform what is discarded. The waters of Marah were made sweet when a tree was thrown into them (Exodus 15:25). Your act of surrender, though it may feel like loss, can become the means of divine healing and new beginnings.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 100 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he threw11×
- and/ they threw8×
- he threw4×
- and/ he threw [it]4×
- thrown down3×
- to/ throw away2×
- thrown out2×
- throw/ it2×
- throw/ him2×
- he threw/ them2×
- and/ they threw/ them2×
- and/ she threw2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֻשְׁלֶ֣כֶת3×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלֵךְ֙3×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֥ךְ3×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ3×
- הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ3×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלֶךְ\־2×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלֵ֖ךְ2×
- וַ/יַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ2×
- תַּשְׁלִיכֻ֔/הוּ1×
- תַּ֭שְׁלִיכֵ/נִי1×
- מֻשְׁלָכִים֩1×
- מֻשְׁלָ֥ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 32:19
As soon as he came near to the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses’ anger grew hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mountain.
Moses throws the tablets to show that idolatry breaks the covenant relationship, requiring decisive action.
-
Exodus 15:25
Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them.
The throwing of the tree into bitter waters demonstrates how God uses simple acts to bring healing and provision.
-
Joshua 18:10
Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.
Joshua casts lots to show that land division is under God’s sovereign control, not human strategy.
-
Genesis 37:24
and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it.
The brothers throw Joseph into the pit, an act of rejection that sets in motion God’s larger plan for salvation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sha.lakh mean in the Bible?
How is sha.lakh different from other words for 'throw'?
Where does sha.lakh appear most often?
Every Occurrence (100 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 4 verses
The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs.
Genesis 37:20Come now therefore, and let’s kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, ‘An evil animal has…
Genesis 37:22Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he…
Genesis 37:24and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it.