Lexical Summary shiqquy: Drink, irrigation, watering Original Word: שִׁקּוּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance drink, marrow From shaqah; a beverage; moisture, i.e. (figuratively) refreshment -- drink, marrow. see HEBREW shaqah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaqah Definition a drink NASB Translation drink (2), refreshment (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁקּוּי noun [masculine] drink (Ba§ 102 d); — לְעַצְמוֺתֶיךָ ׳שׁ Proverbs 3:8 drink (figurative for refreshment) to thy bones (compare verb Pu`al); plural suffix שִׁקֻּוַי (Ol§ 186 b) Psalm 102:10 (+לֶחֶם va) שִׁקּוּיָ֑י Hosea 2:7. Topical Lexicon Definition and Nuances שִׁקּוּי expresses the idea of a drink or draught that brings refreshment, quenching and sustaining life. Beyond a mere beverage, the term carries overtones of invigorating nourishment and restorative well-being. Occurrences in Scripture • Proverbs 3:8 – Within Solomon’s counsel to trust the LORD, wisdom becomes “refreshment to your bones,” picturing the inward reviving that godly fear supplies. Theological Implications 1. True Refreshment Comes from the LORD Proverbs 3 sets שִׁקּוּי alongside “healing” to portray comprehensive shalom. Obedience yields tangible, holistic vitality, echoing Deuteronomy 30:19-20. Hosea highlights the tragic exchange: the people look to Baal for the very provisions Yahweh has always supplied. The word draws a poignant contrast between genuine sustenance and deceptive substitutes (Jeremiah 2:13). שִׁקּוּי belongs to a wider biblical stream where life-giving water symbolizes grace—Psalm 23:2, Isaiah 55:1, Ezekiel 47:1-12. It anticipates Christ’s invitation, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). Historical and Cultural Context In Israel’s agrarian climate, dependable water was indispensable. A “drink” promised more than momentary relief; it meant survival. Wells, cisterns and seasonal rains became theological touchpoints, and covenant infidelity was often framed as forsaking the LORD, “the spring of living water,” for broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13). Hosea’s audience would immediately recognize the irony of chasing “my drink” in pagan worship when Yahweh alone controlled rain and harvest (Deuteronomy 11:13-17). Ministry and Devotional Applications • Pastoral Care: Proverbs 3 encourages believers to present obedience not merely as duty but as the pathway to deep refreshment—physical, emotional and spiritual. Connections to New Testament Themes Jesus embodies the ultimate שִׁקּוּי. He offers “living water” (John 4:10) and produces within believers “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). The Spirit continues this ministry (John 7:38-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Revelation 22:17 closes Scripture with the universal call, “Let the one who is thirsty come.” Summary שִׁקּוּי portrays refreshing sustenance. In wisdom literature it marks the blessing of obedience; in prophetic rebuke it unmasks idolatrous cravings. Ultimately, it directs hearts to the LORD, the only unfailing Source who, in Christ, satisfies thirsty souls now and forever. Forms and Transliterations וְ֝שִׁקּ֗וּי וְשִׁקּוּיָֽי׃ ושקוי ושקויי׃ veshikKui veshikkuYai wə·šiq·qū·yāy wə·šiq·qui wəšiqqui wəšiqqūyāyLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 3:8 HEB: תְּהִ֣י לְשָׁרֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝שִׁקּ֗וּי לְעַצְמוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ NAS: to your body And refreshment to your bones. KJV: to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. INT: become to your body and refreshment to your bones Hosea 2:5 2 Occurrences |