שָׁלָל (sha.lal)
sha.lal
spoil
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 55 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shâlâl refers to the tangible goods taken from an enemy, encompassing plunder, booty, and spoils of war. It describes the material wealth seized during conflict, ranging from livestock and precious metals to captured people. The term appears frequently in historical narratives where armies divide the assets of defeated cities, such as when Israel’s forces took the spoil of Jericho or when David recovered what the Amalekites had stolen.
Its usage extends beyond military contexts to include private robbery and even metaphorical gain. In Judges 5:30, the Song of Deborah describes the "prey" of warriors, highlighting the violent reality of ancient conquest. Conversely, Proverbs 31:11 uses the word to describe a wife’s reliable "gain," showing how the term could apply to personal economic benefit rather than just war booty.
The word derives from a root meaning to strip or plunder, emphasizing the act of taking what does not belong to the victor. This etymology underscores the transient and often contentious nature of such wealth. Biblical law frequently regulated its distribution, ensuring that spoils were shared between soldiers and the community, as seen in Numbers 31, where the loot was divided between those who fought and the rest of the congregation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shâlâl describes the tangible goods taken from an enemy during conflict. In the Old Testament, this term covers plunder, booty, and spoils of war. It refers to material wealth seized in battle, including livestock, precious metals, and captured people. This concept appears frequently in historical narratives where armies divide the assets of defeated cities.
While often associated with military victory, the biblical treatment of shâlâl highlights the importance of obedience and justice. For instance, King Saul’s failure to destroy all the Amalekite spoil led to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:19). Conversely, David’s careful distribution of recovered plunder demonstrated leadership and care for his community (1 Samuel 30:26). The word reminds us that material gain is never neutral; it carries moral weight and requires faithful stewardship.
For your Christian life, this term invites reflection on how we handle the resources God provides. Whether in times of peace or struggle, our response to 'gain' reveals our heart toward God’s commands. Instead of hoarding or acting selfishly, Scripture calls for sharing and obedience. This perspective transforms ordinary wealth into an opportunity for witness and community support.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 55 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- plunder7×
- the/ plunder6×
- to/ plunder4×
- the/ booty4×
- and/ [the] booty of3×
- [the] booty of3×
- plunder/ your2×
- plunder/ his2×
- plunder of2×
- booty/ their2×
- booty/ its2×
- and/ spoil/ their2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שָּׁלָ֖ל5×
- וּ/שְׁלַ֥ל4×
- שָׁלָֽל\׃3×
- לְ/שָׁלָ֔ל3×
- הַ/שָּׁלָ֔ל3×
- שָׁלָל֙2×
- שָׁלָ֥ל2×
- שְׁלַ֥ל2×
- שְׁלַ֣ל2×
- וּ/שְׁלָלָ֖/ם2×
- שָׁלָל֒1×
- שָׁלָ֗ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:27
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. In the morning he will devour the prey. At evening he will divide the plunder.”
Jacob’s prophecy uses this term for Benjamin, linking the tribe’s future strength and military capability with the division of booty.
-
Numbers 31:11
They took all the captives, and all the plunder, both of man and of animal.
This verse records the initial collection of captives and plunder after the war against Midian, setting the stage for God’s specific laws on distribution.