שָׁשָׁק (sha.shaq)
sha.shaq
Shashak
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shashak appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8. It identifies a specific man, the son of Beriah and brother to figures like Ahio and Zebadiah. While he is not a central narrative character, his inclusion helps map the family lines that led into later Israelite history.
Lexical sources define Shashak as meaning "longing" or "desire." This etymology connects the name to a common Hebrew root for yearning. As a personal name, it likely expressed a parent’s hope or emotional attachment at the time of his birth, reflecting a cultural practice of embedding meaningful concepts into names.
The word’s rarity is notable. With only two occurrences, both in Chronicles, Shashak serves as a link in a long chain of ancestors rather than a standalone subject. This highlights how biblical genealogies function not merely as lists, but as structured records of identity and tribal continuity for the people of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shashak appears in two brief genealogical lists within 1 Chronicles, identifying a man from the tribe of Benjamin as the son of Beriah and father to Iphdeiah and Penuel. Lexical sources suggest the name means "longing" or "desire," likely reflecting a parent’s hope or emotional attachment at the time of his birth. This practice of embedding meaningful concepts into names was common in ancient Israel, turning personal identity into a statement of faith or aspiration.
While Shashak is not a central narrative character, his inclusion helps map the family lines that led into later Israelite history. These records function not merely as lists, but as structured accounts of tribal continuity. For readers today, such names remind us that every individual in Scripture’s lineage plays a role in God’s broader story. Even those mentioned only once or twice contribute to the preservation of identity and heritage for the people of Israel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shashak2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁשָֽׁק\׃1×
- שָׁשָׁ֖ק1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 8:14
and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
This verse places Shashak among the sons of Beriah, listing him alongside Ahio and Jeremoth to establish his position within the Benjaminite family structure.
-
I Chronicles 8:25
Iphdeiah, Penuel, the sons of Shashak,
Here Shashak is identified as the father of Iphdeiah and Penuel, demonstrating how genealogies trace lineage forward through generations rather than just backward.