Original Word: שׁוֹפָךְ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Showphak
Pronunciation: SHO-fak
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-fawk')
KJV: Shophach
NASB: Shophach
Word Origin: [from H8210 (שָׁפַך - pour)]

1. poured
2. Shophak, a Syrian

Shophach

From shaphak; poured; Shophak, a Syrian -- Shophach.

see HEBREW shaphak

Word Origin
from shaphak
Definition
an Aramean (Syrian) general, the same as NH7731
NASB Translation
Shophach (2).

Name and Variants

Shophach (שׁוֹפָךְ) appears twice in Chronicles and corresponds to Shobach in the parallel account of 2 Samuel 10. The slight spelling difference reflects a normal variation in recording foreign names.

Occurrences

• 1 Chronicles 19:16
• 1 Chronicles 19:18

Historical Setting

The passages belong to the broader narrative of David’s wars of consolidation (2 Samuel 8–12; 1 Chronicles 18–20). After the Ammonites hired mercenary Aramean (Syrian) armies and suffered defeat, they rallied fresh forces from north-eastern Mesopotamia. These reinforcements were placed under the supreme command of Shophach, the distinguished general of Hadadezer king of Zobah.

Role and Military Significance

Shophach is the highest-ranking Gentile commander mentioned in the Chronicles account of David’s Ammonite campaign. His appointment indicates the seriousness with which Hadadezer viewed the conflict: he mustered veterans from “beyond the River” (the Euphrates) and entrusted them to his most capable officer.

The battle array shows Shophach’s strategic intent—combining chariot corps and infantry to confront Israel in the open field. Despite superior numbers and technology, the coalition collapsed before Israel’s divinely favoured armies. “The Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army” (1 Chronicles 19:18).

Shophach’s death effectively ended Aramean resistance and led to their submission and tribute (2 Samuel 10:19). It cleared the northern frontier, enabling David to secure trade routes and focus on internal administration, thereby advancing the covenant promises of an enduring kingdom (2 Samuel 7).

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty of God over nations. The swift overthrow of Shophach underscores that military prowess cannot withstand the purposes of the Lord (Psalm 33:16–17).
2. The Davidic covenant in action. Victory over regional superpowers authenticated God’s pledge that David would “cut off all your enemies from before you” (2 Samuel 7:9).
3. Human pride versus divine deliverance. Shophach embodies self-reliant opposition to God’s people; his fall illustrates Proverbs 16:18 and anticipates the eschatological overthrow of every proud adversary (Revelation 19:19–21).

Ministry Insights

• Spiritual leadership must rest on God’s promise, not mere numbers. David faced a trans-Euphrate army yet prevailed by seeking the Lord and acting courageously (1 Chronicles 19:13).
• Temporary alliances built on hostility to God’s kingdom are unstable; when fear struck the Aramean coalition, they abandoned the Ammonites (1 Chronicles 19:19).
• The termination of Shophach’s career warns against staking identity on worldly achievement. Lasting honor stems from serving God’s redemptive plan, not opposing it (John 12:26).

Intertextual Connections

• 2 Samuel 10 parallels highlight inspired harmony despite minor orthographic variation.
• The trope of a notable foreign commander falling before Israel anticipates later narratives: Sisera (Judges 4), Sennacherib’s officers (2 Kings 19), and ultimately Gog (Ezekiel 38–39).
• The submission of Aram foreshadows the gathering of Gentiles under David’s greater Son, Jesus Christ (Psalm 72:8–11; Acts 15:16–18).

Contemporary Application

Modern believers face cultural “coalitions” that appear formidable. Shophach’s defeat reminds the Church that the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). Faithfulness, rather than force, secures enduring victory and advances God’s kingdom purposes.

וְשׁוֹפַ֛ךְ ושופך שׁוֹפַ֥ךְ שופך shoFach šō·w·p̄aḵ šōwp̄aḵ veshoFach wə·šō·w·p̄aḵ wəšōwp̄aḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts