What does שָׁכַב · בְּהֵמָה mean in the Bible?
שָׁכַב · בְּהֵמָה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)".
Hebrew · H7901, H929
שֹׁכֵב עִם־בְּהֵמָה
To lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) · properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׁכַבH7901to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
Pronunciationšākab
Foundational posture encompassing rest, vulnerability, intimacy, and death—the horizontal position of human dependence.
Open lexicon entry →בְּהֵמָהH929properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Pronunciationbĕhēmāh
Designates non-rational livestock or animals, emphasizing muteness and instinctual nature contrasting with human rational speech and moral agency.
Open lexicon entry →What does שֹׁכֵב עִם־בְּהֵמָה (shokhev im-behemah) mean in the Bible?
שָׁכַב · בְּהֵמָה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)".
Full entry for שֹׁכֵב עִם־בְּהֵמָה (H7901, H929) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H7901, H929?
H7901, H929 is connected to 403 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
Source Gloss
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups5Aligned forms98
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense91×
ImperfectExod 22:26 · Gen 30:15 · Job 27:19 · Job 40:21 · Lev 15:4 · Lev 15:18 · Lev 15:24 · Lev 15:33 · Lev 19:20 · Lev 20:11 · Lev 20:12 · Lev 20:13 · Lev 20:18 · Lev 20:20 · Num 23:24 · Ruth 3:435×
Participle active1Sam 3:2 · 1Sam 3:3 · 1Sam 26:5 · 1Sam 26:7 · 2Kgs 9:16 · 2Sam 4:5 · 2Sam 4:7 · 2Sam 13:8 · Deut 22:22 · Deut 27:20 · Deut 27:21 · Deut 27:22 · Deut 27:23 · Deut 31:16 · Exod 22:18 · Ezek 4:921×
Perfect1Kgs 11:21 · 1Sam 26:5 · Deut 22:25 · Eccl 2:23 · Gen 26:10 · Job 14:12 · Judg 5:27 · Num 5:19 · Num 24:9 · Ps 41:9 · Ezek 23:8 · Ezek 32:21 · Isa 14:18 · Isa 51:20 · Lam 2:21 · Gen 19:3421×
Sequential imperfect1Sam 3:5 · 1Sam 3:6 · 1Sam 3:9 · 2Sam 13:5 · Ezek 4:4 · 2Sam 13:11 · Gen 19:34 · Ruth 3:138×
CohortativePs 4:9 · Ps 57:5 · Jer 3:253×
Infinitive construct2Chr 26:2 · 2Kgs 14:222×
Infinitive absoluteLev 15:241×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action2×
ImperfectIsa 13:16 · Zech 14:22×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action3×
Perfect1Kgs 3:201×
Infinitive absolute2Sam 8:21×
ImperfectJob 38:371×
Hophalcausative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action1×
Participle passive2Kgs 4:321×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
PerfectJer 3:21×
Word Origins
שֹׁכֵב עִם־בְּהֵמָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.