שֵׁשַׁךְ (she.shakh)
she.shakh
Babylon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Sheshach is a cryptic code name for Babylon found in the Hebrew Bible. It appears only twice, both within the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:26 and 51:41). Rather than using the standard name for the empire, these passages substitute this unusual term, likely to obscure the identity of the enemy or to employ a form of literary riddling common in ancient prophetic literature.
Lexical sources explain that Sheshach is an acrostic or cipher for Babylon. By reversing the consonants of the Hebrew word for "Babel" (Bavel), one obtains the letters for Sheshach. Another theory, noted in some concordances, links it to the goddess Shach or the material fine linen, but the linguistic reversal is the most widely accepted explanation among scholars. This technique turns a political enemy into a puzzle, highlighting the divine irony that Babylon’s pride would lead to its fall.
The word carries significant theological weight by associating the mightiest empire of the day with a hidden or mocked identity. Its scarcity in Scripture emphasizes the uniqueness of these specific prophecies against the Chaldeans. Translators typically retain "Sheshach" in footnotes or brackets, preserving the original textual mystery for the reader.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Sheshach appears in Jeremiah as a hidden name for Babylon, created by reversing the letters of Babel. This cipher turns a powerful empire into a puzzle, reminding us that human pride is often masked but never truly secure from God’s view. When we face overwhelming opposition or complex problems, this word invites us to look past the surface noise and trust in divine justice.
The biblical text uses this code to highlight irony: the mighty king of Sheshach will eventually drink from the same cup of judgment as everyone else. This suggests that no amount of political strength or cleverness can outlast God’s purposes. We are encouraged to find peace in knowing that history is not chaotic, but guided by a sovereign hand that sees through every disguise.
Even when threats seem hidden or confusing, the message remains clear. The same God who exposed Babylon’s true nature through this literary riddle is faithful to reveal truth in our own lives. We can rest in the assurance that what appears triumphant today will ultimately submit to eternal righteousness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sheshach2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֵׁשַׁ֖ךְ1×
- שֵׁשַׁ֔ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 25:26
and all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world, which are on the surface of the earth. The king of Sheshach will drink after them.
This verse establishes Sheshach as the ultimate authority among kings who will face judgment, showing that even the most powerful earthly rulers are subject to divine decree.
-
Jeremiah 51:41
“How Sheshach is taken! How the praise of the whole earth is seized! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!
Here the cipher is revealed in lament, emphasizing the sudden fall of Babylon’s reputation and power, which serves as a warning against worldly pride.