Original Word: שׁוּחַ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shuwach
Pronunciation: shoo'-akh
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo'-akh)
KJV: bow down, incline, humble
NASB: bowed down, sinks down, sunk down
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to sink, literally or figuratively

bow down, incline, humble

A primitive root; to sink, literally or figuratively -- bow down, incline, humble.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to sink down
NASB Translation
bowed down (1), sinks down (1), sunk down (1).

[שׁוּחַ] verb sink down (Buhl distinguishes this as II. ׳שׁ (Arabic () sink down, MI^{9, 23} אשוח probably depression, excavation, reservoir, so אשיךְ Ecclus 50:3), and hence שָׁ֫חָה Proverbs 2:18, si vera lectio, and following derivatives, from I.׳שׁ melt away Arabic () flow and spread, melt away, Ethiopic cause to dwindle, phthisis, Aramaic שׁוּחַ, flow or melt away, vanish), whence Lamentations 3:20; Psalm 44:26; but insufficient evidence for I.׳שׁ in Hebrew); — sink down,

Qal Perfect3feminine singular שָׁ֫חָה לֶעָפָר נַפְשֵׁנוּ Psalm 44:26 ("" דָּֽבְקָה לָאָרֶץ); אֶלמָֿוֶת בֵּיתָהּ ׳שׁ Proverbs 2:18 ("" אֶלרְֿפָאִים; but ׳ב masculine, read שָׁחָה, √ שׁחה, Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 82}, so Toy); Imperfect3feminine singular תָּשׁוּחַ עָלַי נַפְשִׁי Lamentations 3:20 Qr,

Hiph`il declar. תָּשִׁיחַ Kt, of depression of mind. — Psalm 49:15 Gr reads שָׁחוּ for ᵑ0 שַׁתּוּ but see שׁתת. —

Hithpa`el Psalm 42; 43see שׁחח.

Overview

שׁוּחַ (Strong’s 7743) is a vivid Hebrew verb that conveys the act of sinking, bowing low, or being humbled. Across its limited but strategic appearances, it marks a descent—whether physical, emotional, or moral—highlighting humanity’s frailty in contrast to the steadfastness of God.

Canonical Occurrences

• Psalm 44:25 presents the collective lament of Israel: “For our soul has sunk to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.” Here שׁוּחַ pictures utter prostration after devastating defeat, reinforcing reliance on divine covenant mercy.
• Proverbs 2:18 warns of the seductive path of the adulteress: “For her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the spirits of the dead.” שׁוּחַ exposes the inexorable downward spiral of sin that ends in spiritual ruin.
• Lamentations 3:20 records Jeremiah’s personal grief: “Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.” The inner descent prepares the way for the prophet’s renewed hope in God’s mercies (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Theological Threads

1. National Humiliation and Divine Appeal

Psalm 44 places שׁוּחַ amid covenant lament. The nation’s collapse drives them to appeal to Yahweh’s past acts (Psalm 44:1-8) and to anticipate future deliverance (Psalm 44:26). The verb underscores that genuine hope often begins in acknowledged helplessness.

2. Moral Decline and Ultimate Death

Proverbs 2 contrasts paths of wisdom and folly. שׁוּחַ in verse 18 portrays the downward pull of immorality. The language warns that sin does not merely stumble—it sinks, dragging the sinner toward death and Sheol (cf. Proverbs 5:5; 7:27).

3. Personal Brokenness and Restoration

In Lamentations 3, שׁוּחַ describes the soul’s collapse under affliction. Yet this low point becomes the turning hinge to one of Scripture’s greatest affirmations of hope: “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22). Humbling precedes healing.

Historical and Literary Significance

Though rare, שׁוּחַ appears in major genres—poetry, wisdom, and prophetic lament—linking communal, ethical, and individual experience. Its usage contributes to Hebrew parallelism, pairing downward motion with dust, death, or humility, thus amplifying poetic impact.

Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Care: שׁוּחַ validates seasons of profound discouragement. Counselors may guide believers from honest acknowledgment of “sinking” toward the hope anchored in God’s steadfast love (Lamentations 3:21-24).
• Preaching on Repentance: Proverbs 2:18 equips sermons that expose sin’s trajectory before proclaiming redemption in Christ, who “bore our griefs” and was “brought low” on our behalf (Isaiah 53:4; Philippians 2:8).
• Corporate Worship: Psalm 44 models prayer that moves from national shame to petition for rescue, useful in liturgies of confession and lament.

Christological and Eschatological Echoes

The downward arc of שׁוּחַ foreshadows the incarnate Son who “descended” (Ephesians 4:9) into human suffering and death yet rose triumphant. Believers share in this pattern: united to Christ, they may be “struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9), assured that every present humbling will be swallowed up in resurrection glory.

Related Concepts

Humbled (Psalm 35:14; 1 Peter 5:6)

Bowed Down (Psalm 57:6)

Sinking in Mire (Psalm 69:2)

Sheol’s Descent (Psalm 55:15)

Conclusion

שׁוּחַ serves as a concise theological signpost: from the depths of humiliation or sin, God invites His people to look up, trust His covenant faithfulness, and anticipate ultimate vindication in the risen Christ.

וְתָשֹׁ֥וחַ ותשוח שָׁ֣חָה שחה šā·ḥāh šāḥāh Shachah vetaShoach wə·ṯā·šō·w·aḥ wəṯāšōwaḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts