Original Word: שְׁכַח
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shkach
Pronunciation: sheh-KAHKH
Phonetic Spelling: (shek-akh')
KJV: find
NASB: found, find, discover, discovered
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H7911 (שָׁכַח שָׁכֵַח - forget) through the idea of disclosure of a covered or forgotten thing]

1. to discover (literally or figuratively)

find

(Aramaic) corresponding to shakach through the idea of disclosure of a covered or forgotten thing; to discover (literally or figuratively) -- find.

see HEBREW shakach

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to shakach
Definition
to find
NASB Translation
discover (1), discovered (1), find (5), found (11).

[שְׁכַח] verb Haph`el (K^{§ 40, 4} Nö^{GGA 1884, 1019}) find (ᵑ7 שְׁכַח find, Syriac , Christian-Palestinian Aramaic Schulth^{Lex. 205}; Egyptian Aramaic השכח S-C^{E 5, pass.} אשתכךְ RŠS^{361A 2}): — Perfect1singular הַשְׁכַּ֫חַת Daniel 2:25; 3masculine plural הַשְׁכַּ֫חוּ Ezra 4:19; Daniel 6:12; Imperfect2masculine singular תְּהַשְׁכַּת Ezra 4:15; Ezra 7:16; Infinitive לְהַשְׁכָּחָה Daniel 6:5 (twice in verse); — find, accusative of thing, Daniel 6:5 (ל person), Daniel 6:5; Daniel 6:6 (ל person), Daniel 6:6 (עַל person, accusative of thing omitted), Ezra 7:16 (ב location); followed by clause דִּי Ezra 4:15 (ב location), Ezra 4:19; accusative of person Daniel 2:25; ל person Daniel 6:12 ( + participle action.).

Hithpe`el Perfect3masculine singular הִשְׁתְּכַח Daniel 2:35 +, 2 masculine singular כַ֫חַתְּ- Daniel 5:27, 3feminine singular כַ֫חַת- Daniel 5:11 +; be found, subject thing, ב location, Ezra 6:2; ב person Daniel 5:11,12,14; Daniel 6:24; עַל person Daniel 6:5; ל person + קֳדָם person Daniel 6:23; ל of thing Daniel 2:35 (see אֲתַר); subject person Daniel 5:27 + חַסִּר thou hast been found wanting (K^{§ 85, 3}).

שַׁכְלְלֵהּ etc., see כלל.

Range of Meaning and Narrative Settings

Strong’s 7912 appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, where it conveys the idea of something “being found” after investigation, search, or examination. In royal archives, on judicial scales, or in the moral character of a servant of God, the verb marks the decisive moment when hidden reality becomes public fact.

Persian Records and Covenant Continuity (Ezra 4–7)

The first cluster of occurrences sits within court correspondence between Persian officials and the throne. Opponents of Judah petition Artaxerxes to halt temple construction:

• “You will find in the record books and know that this city is a rebellious city” (Ezra 4:15).
• “Search was made, and it was found that the city had long stirred up rebellion” (Ezra 4:19).

Later, Darius orders a counter-search; the royal roll from Cyrus is “found at Ecbatana” (Ezra 6:2). The discovery validates the Jews’ right to rebuild. What opponents hoped to expose as sedition is overturned by the very archives they cited. The motif of finding thus underscores the historical reliability of God’s earlier word and highlights His providence in guiding even pagan record-keepers to preserve covenant promises.

A final Ezra reference broadens the term to treasure: “all the silver and gold that you may find in the whole province of Babylon” (Ezra 7:16). Provision for worship is not a random windfall; it is located because God has already placed it within reach.

Wisdom and Gifting “Found in Daniel” (Daniel 2; 5)

Arioch announces, “I have found a man among the exiles of Judah” (Daniel 2:25). The verb points to divine appointment masquerading as human discovery. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is revealed, and not a “trace” of the shattered statue can be found (Daniel 2:35)—a vivid picture of the fleeting nature of earthly kingdoms.

Decades later, Belshazzar hears that “light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him” (Daniel 5:11; cf. 5:12, 14). The court repeatedly acknowledges what God has already deposited in His servant. Daniel does not create his gifts; they are uncovered by others when crisis demands. The verb therefore links spiritual endowment with practical recognition in public life.

Judicial Verdicts: Found Innocent, Found Wanting (Daniel 5–6)

On the night Babylon falls, the hand writes, “TEKEL—you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). Discovery now becomes exposure; the king’s moral deficiency is publicly measured.

By contrast, Daniel’s political enemies “could find no ground for accusation or fault” (Daniel 6:4, repeated thrice for emphasis). Failing to locate wrongdoing, they conspire against his prayer life: “We will never find any basis… unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5). Even then the only incriminating evidence they manage to “find” is Daniel’s faithfulness (Daniel 6:11).

After the lions’ den, Daniel testifies, “I was found innocent in His sight” (Daniel 6:22), and the narrator adds, “no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23). The same verb that condemned Belshazzar vindicates Daniel, illustrating that divine judgment is consistent yet impartial.

Theology of Searching and Finding

1. Divine Sovereignty over Human Searches

Whether pagan officials scour archives or predators prowl a den, the outcome of every search rests in God’s hands. What is truly there—or conspicuously absent—follows His decree.

2. Integrity Revealed under Scrutiny

Daniel’s life teaches that sustained obedience will withstand forensic examination. Ministry leaders today should expect to be “searched” and found either authentic or deficient.

3. Prophetic Reliability of Scripture

The scroll recovered in Ezra 6:2 affirms that earlier prophetic words remain intact and operative. Modern readers may trust the biblical record knowing that, when tested, it will again be “found” true.

4. Eschatological Foreshadowing

Belshazzar “found wanting” anticipates the final judgment where every work is brought to light (2 Corinthians 5:10). Conversely, Daniel “found innocent” prefigures the believer’s standing “in Christ” (Romans 8:1).

Ministerial Implications

• Exegetical: Note how the same verb binds administrative routine, supernatural gifting, and courtroom verdicts. Preachers can trace a single linguistic thread to show God’s unified governance over secular and sacred spheres.

• Pastoral: Encourage congregations that hidden faithfulness will eventually be discovered and honored by God, even if initially overlooked by men.

• Missional: Like Arioch, believers are called to “find” Spirit-gifted individuals among the marginalized exiles of society. Recognizing God’s deposits in others is a vital kingdom task.

Conclusion

Strong’s 7912 moves the reader from dusty archives to lion-filled dens, always highlighting the decisive moment when truth comes to light. Every occurrence invites worshipers to live transparently before the One who searches all things and ensures that, in the end, what ought to be found will be found.

הִשְׁתְּכַ֖חַת הִשְׁתְּכַ֣ח הִשְׁתְּכַ֣חַת הִשְׁתְּכַ֤חַת הִשְׁתְּכַ֥חַת הִשְׁתֲּכַ֣ח הַשְׁכַּ֤חַת הַשְׁכַּ֥חְנָֽה השכחנה השכחת השתכח השתכחת וְהִשְׁתְּכַ֣ח וְהִשְׁתְּכַ֥חַתְּ וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ וְהַשְׁכַּ֖חוּ וּ֠תְהַשְׁכַּח והשכחו והשתכח והשתכחת ותהשכח לְהַשְׁכָּחָ֗ה לְהַשְׁכָּחָ֥ה להשכחה נְהַשְׁכַּ֛ח נהשכח תְהַשְׁכַּ֔ח תהשכח haš·ka·ḥaṯ haš·kaḥ·nāh hashKachat hashKachnah haškaḥaṯ haškaḥnāh hiš·tă·ḵaḥ hiš·tə·ḵa·ḥaṯ hiš·tə·ḵaḥ hishtaChach hishteChach hishteChachat hištăḵaḥ hištəḵaḥ hištəḵaḥaṯ lə·haš·kā·ḥāh lehashkaChah ləhaškāḥāh nə·haš·kaḥ nehashKach nəhaškaḥ ṯə·haš·kaḥ tehashKach ṯəhaškaḥ ū·ṯə·haš·kaḥ Utehashkach ūṯəhaškaḥ vehashKachu vehishteChach vehishteChachat wə·haš·ka·ḥū wə·hiš·tə·ḵa·ḥat wə·hiš·tə·ḵaḥ wəhaškaḥū wəhištəḵaḥ wəhištəḵaḥatInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts