What does שָׁקַל mean in the Bible?
שָׁקַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to suspend or poise (especially in trade)".
Hebrew · H8254
שָׁקַל
To suspend or poise (especially in trade)
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.
שָׁקַלH8254
What does שָׁקַל mean in the Bible?
שָׁקַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to suspend or poise (especially in trade)".
Full entry for שָׁקַל (H8254) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8254?
The BSB source-word alignment has 22 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and I weighed out (2), to pay (2), . . . (1), [the man] still must pay (1), and weigh out (1).
Where does שָׁקַל appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 23:16. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezra (4), Isaiah (4), Job (4), 2 Samuel (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand I weighed out2×Ezra 8:25, Jeremiah 32:9
to pay2×Esther 3:9, Esther 4:7
. . .1×Job 6:2
[the man] still must pay1×Exodus 22:17
and weigh out1×Isaiah 46:6
and weighed out1×Jeremiah 32:10
be weighed out1×Job 28:15
could be weighed1×Job 6:2
he would weigh1×2 Samuel 14:26
I weighed out1×Ezra 8:26
is he who weighs1×Isaiah 33:18
let God weigh me1×Job 31:6
or weighed1×Isaiah 40:12
So they weighed out1×Zechariah 11:12
spend1×Isaiah 55:2
we weighed out1×Ezra 8:33
weighed out1×Genesis 23:16
were weighed out1×2 Samuel 18:12
you weigh them out1×Ezra 8:29
you will weigh out1×1 Kings 20:39
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 23:16וַיִּשְׁקֹ֤לtoweighed outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 22:17יִשְׁקֹ֔לto[the man] still must payVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 14:26וְשָׁקַל֙tohe would weighConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 18:12שֹׁקֵ֤לtowere weighed outVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1 Kings 20:39תִּשְׁקֽוֹל׃toyou will weigh outVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularEzra 8:25וָאֶשְׁקוֹלָהtoand I weighed outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singularEzra 8:26וָאֶשְׁקֲלָ֨הtoI weighed outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singularEzra 8:29תִּשְׁקְל֡וּtoyou weigh them outVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine pluralEzra 8:33נִשְׁקַ֣לtowe weighed outVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularEsther 3:9אֶשְׁקוֹל֙toto payVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 23:16
Aligned rows22
Books represented10
Genesis1Exodus12 Samuel21 Kings1Ezra4Esther2Job4Isaiah4Jeremiah2Zechariah1
Source forms
אֶשְׁקוֹל֙1x’eš·qō·wlEsther 3:9
וָאֶשְׁקוֹלָה1xwå̄·ʾɛš·qō·lå̄hEzra 8:25
וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל1xwā·’eš·qōlJeremiah 32:10
וָאֶשְׁקֲלָ֨ה1xwā·’eš·qă·lāhEzra 8:26
וָֽאֶשְׁקֲלָה־1xwā·’eš·qă·lāh-Jeremiah 32:9
וַיִּשְׁקֹ֤ל1xway·yiš·qōlGenesis 23:16
וַיִּשְׁקְל֥וּ1xway·yiš·qə·lūZechariah 11:12
וְשָׁקַל֙1xwə·šā·qal2 Samuel 14:26
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular3xEzra 8:25, Ezra 8:26, Jeremiah 32:9
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular2x2 Samuel 14:26, Isaiah 40:12
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular2xJob 6:2, Job 28:15
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural2xEzra 8:29, Isaiah 55:2
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2x2 Samuel 18:12, Isaiah 33:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1xJeremiah 32:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xZechariah 11:12
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xGenesis 23:16
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
Source Gloss
to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to suspend or poise (especially in trade) BDB: weigh Usage: pay, receive(-r), spend, × throughly, weigh.
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 groups2Aligned forms12
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense9×
ImperfectEzra 8:29 · Isa 55:2 · 1Kgs 20:39 · Esth 3:9 · Exod 22:16 · Isa 46:66×
Participle active2Sam 18:12 · Isa 33:182×
Infinitive absoluteJob 6:21×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
ImperfectJob 6:2 · Job 28:152×
PerfectEzra 8:331×
Word Origins
שָׁקַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.