שָׁלַף (sha.laph)
sha.laph
to draw
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.laph describes the physical act of drawing something out or off, most commonly a weapon from its sheath or an object from a surface. In the Old Testament, it appears frequently in military narratives where soldiers are described as armed and ready for battle. For instance, Judges 8:10 mentions "a thousand men drawing the sword," painting a vivid picture of an army prepared for conflict.
The word also carries a specific legal and cultural weight in the book of Ruth. In chapter 4, sha.laph is used to describe the custom of removing a sandal to confirm a transaction or transfer of rights. When Boaz redeems the land, the process involves the other relative taking off his shoe, an act that serves as a public seal on the agreement.
Its range extends beyond human action to nature as well. Psalm 129:6 uses the term to describe grass that fails to grow up or is plucked off before it can mature, highlighting the word’s basic sense of pulling or drawing forth. This variety of usage shows how a simple physical motion could symbolize readiness, legal finality, or natural potential.
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.laph captures the physical act of drawing something out or off, most often a weapon from its sheath. In the Old Testament, this action signals readiness for battle or the execution of justice. When soldiers drew their swords, it marked a moment of decisive action where peace gave way to conflict. This imagery reminds us that faith sometimes requires standing firm in difficult circumstances, trusting God’s presence even when the path ahead seems dangerous.
Yet sha.laph also appears in quieter, legal contexts. In Ruth 4, removing a sandal formalized a transaction and secured rights for the vulnerable. Here, the act was not about violence but about integrity and keeping promises. It shows that God cares about fairness in everyday dealings. Whether in war or in commerce, the word highlights how physical actions can seal spiritual truths like loyalty and redemption.
For your daily life, this word invites reflection on what you hold close and what you are willing to release. Just as a sword was drawn for protection or a sandal removed for justice, consider where God is calling you to act with courage or honor. Trust that He guides your steps, whether in moments of high tension or quiet responsibility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [who] drew7×
- [was] drawn3×
- draw out2×
- [who] drew out2×
- it has shot up1×
- he will draw [it] out1×
- he took off1×
- he drew out1×
- he drew1×
- drawn1×
- draw1×
- and/ he took off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֹׁ֣לֵֽף5×
- שֹׁ֥לֵֽף4×
- שְׁלוּפָה֙2×
- שְׁלֹ֥ף2×
- שֹׁ֥לֵף1×
- שֹׁ֥לְפֵי1×
- שָׁלַף֮1×
- שָׁלַ֨ף1×
- שָׁלַ֥ף1×
- שָׁלַ֣ף1×
- שָׁלַ֛ף1×
- שְׁלוּפָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 4:7
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of formalizing transactions in Israel.
This verse establishes the cultural custom where removing a sandal served as a public seal for redeeming land and transferring rights.
-
Judges 8:10
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of all the army of the children of the east; for there fell one hundred twenty thousand men who drew sword.
The phrase 'drew sword' here quantifies the remaining army, emphasizing the scale of military readiness after a long campaign.
-
Joshua 5:13
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”
The commander of Yahweh’s army stands with a drawn sword, signaling that Joshua is about to receive divine instruction for battle.