שָׁאַל
to ask
also: enquire, borrow, beg fuller range ↓
Full lexicon entry — Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
From Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
Where this word appears
See every Qal verb in the Hebrew Bible →
Grammar key — what these labels mean
Part of speech
- Verb
- An action or state-of-being word.
- Preposition
- A relational word (e.g. “in,” “to,” “from”) governing a noun.
Stem
- Qal
- The basic, simple active stem — the plain form of the verb (“he wrote”). Here: ‘inquire of’
- Niphal
- Usually the simple passive or reflexive of the Qal (“he was written”). Here: ‘ask for oneself’
- Hiphil
- The causative active stem (“he caused / brought about”).
- Piel
- An intensive or resultative active stem. Here: ‘inquire carefully’
Form
- Sequential Imperfect
- An imperfect with prefixed waw — the standard past-narrative form (waw-consecutive imperfect).
- Infinitive Construct
- A bound verbal noun, frequently with prepositions (“to write / in writing”).
- Imperative
- A direct command (“write!”).
- Perfect
- A completed action or state — Hebrew marks aspect (completeness) more than strict tense (“he wrote”).
- Participle Active
- A verbal adjective expressing ongoing or characteristic action (“writing / one who writes”).
- Imperfect
- An incomplete, ongoing, or future action (“he will / would write”).
- Sequential Perfect
- A perfect with prefixed waw continuing a preceding imperfect or command (waw-consecutive perfect).
- Infinitive Absolute
- An unbound verbal noun, often intensifying or standing in for a finite verb.
- Participle Passive
- A verbal adjective expressing action received (“written”).
- Cohortative
- A first-person volitional form expressing wish or resolve (“let me / let us write”).
- Jussive
- A third- or second-person volitional form expressing wish or command (“let him write”).
State
- Absolute
- The independent form of a noun, not bound to a following word.
Person
- 3rd Person
- The one spoken about (“he / she / it / they”).
- 2nd Person
- The one addressed (“you”).
- 1st Person
- The speaker (“I / we”).
Gender
- Masculine
- Grammatically masculine.
- Common
- Either gender — not distinguished for this form.
- Feminine
- Grammatically feminine.
Number
- Singular
- One.
- Plural
- More than one (in Hebrew, generally three or more).
Grammatical forms 41 distinct
- Verb, Qal, Sequential Imperfect, 3rd Person, Masculine, Singular 26 times (15%)
- Verb, Qal, Infinitive Construct 16 times (9%)
- Verb, Qal, Imperative, 2nd Person, Masculine, Singular 13 times (7%)
- Verb, Qal, Perfect, 3rd Person, Masculine, Singular 11 times (6%)
- Verb, Qal, Perfect, 2nd Person, Masculine, Singular 11 times (6%)
- Verb, Qal, Sequential Imperfect, 3rd Person, Masculine, Plural 10 times (6%)
- Verb, Qal, Perfect, 3rd Person, Common, Plural 7 times (4%)
- Verb, Qal, Participle Active, Masculine, Singular, Absolute 7 times (4%)
+33 more forms (75 occurrences)
Parsed forms decoded from the imported morphology (morphhb / Westminster Leningrad Codex — WLC text public domain, morphhb tagging CC BY 4.0), counted across 176 parsed occurrences — not distinct verses.
Every verse where H7592 appears — 157 distinct verses across 27 books. Click any verse to open its interlinear word-by-word view. Verse text shown in the World English Bible for context — . Each verse’s Hebrew form is shown with its reference; the English is not keyword-highlighted, since the data carries no word-level English alignment. Use “Compare translations” on any verse to read it across multiple English versions. This concordance covers the Hebrew Bible; Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) occurrences are not indexed here.
Genesis 11 verses
- Genesis 24:47 וָ/אֶשְׁאַ֣ל conj + Qal wimpf 1cs I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare to him.' I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
- Genesis 24:57 וְ/נִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה conj + Qal coh 1cp They said, "We will call the young lady, and ask her."
- Genesis 26:7 וַֽ/יִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "My wife," lest, he thought, the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she was beautiful to look on.
- Genesis 32:17 וִ/שְׁאֵֽלְ/ךָ֙ conj + Qal wpf 3ms + sfx pers 2ms He commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, 'Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?'
- Genesis 32:29 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֣ל תִּשְׁאַ֣ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Qal impf 2ms Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask what my name is?" He blessed him there.
- Genesis 37:15 וַ/יִּשְׁאָלֵ֧/הוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms + sfx pers 3ms A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, "What are you looking for?"
- Genesis 38:21 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֞ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Then he asked the men of her place, saying, "Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?" They said, "There has been no prostitute here."
- Genesis 40:7 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֞ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms He asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"
- Genesis 43:7 שָׁא֣וֹל שָֽׁאַל Qal inf.abs Qal pf 3ms They said, "The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'"
- Genesis 43:27 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms He asked them of their welfare, and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?"
- Genesis 44:19 שָׁאַ֔ל Qal pf 3ms My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father, or a brother?'
Exodus 7 verses
- Exodus 3:22 וְ/שָׁאֲלָ֨ה conj + Qal wpf 3fs But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall despoil the Egyptians.
- Exodus 11:2 וְ/יִשְׁאֲל֞וּ conj + Qal juss 3mp Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold."
- Exodus 12:35 וַֽ/יִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.
- Exodus 12:36 וַ/יַּשְׁאִל֑וּ/ם conj + Hiphil wimpf 3mp + sfx pers 3mp Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians.
- Exodus 13:14 יִשְׁאָלְ/ךָ֥ Qal impf 3ms + sfx pers 2ms It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall tell him, 'By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage;
- Exodus 18:7 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent.
- Exodus 22:14 יִשְׁאַ֥ל Qal impf 3ms "If a man borrows anything of his neighbor's, and it is injured, or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
Numbers 1 verse
Deuteronomy 8 verses
- Deuteronomy 4:32 שְׁאַל Qal impv 2ms For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been [any such thing] as this great thing is, or has been heard like it?
- Deuteronomy 6:20 יִשְׁאָלְ/ךָ֥ Qal impf 3ms + sfx pers 2ms When your son asks you in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh our God has commanded you?
- Deuteronomy 10:12 שֹׁאֵ֖ל Qal ptcp.act ms Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
- Deuteronomy 13:14 וְ/שָׁאַלְתָּ֖ conj + Qal wpf 2ms then shall you inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in the midst of you,
- Deuteronomy 14:26 תִּֽשְׁאָלְ/ךָ֖ Qal impf 3fs + sfx pers 2ms and you shall bestow the money for whatever your soul desires, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul asks of you; and you shall eat there before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
- Deuteronomy 18:11 וְ/שֹׁאֵ֥ל conj + Qal ptcp.act ms or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
- Deuteronomy 18:16 שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ Qal pf 2ms according to all that you desired of Yahweh your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Yahweh my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.
- Deuteronomy 32:7 שְׁאַ֤ל Qal impv 2ms Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations: Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you.
Joshua 5 verses
- Joshua 4:6 יִשְׁאָל֨וּ/ן Qal impf 3mp + sfx n that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, What do you mean by these stones?
- Joshua 4:21 יִשְׁאָל֨וּ/ן Qal impf 3mp + sfx n He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
- Joshua 9:14 שָׁאָֽלוּ Qal pf 3cp The men took of their provision, and didn't ask counsel at the mouth of Yahweh.
- Joshua 15:18 לִ/שְׁא֤וֹל prep + Qal inf.cs It happened, when she came [to him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she alighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said, What would you?
- Joshua 19:50 שָׁאָ֔ל Qal pf 3ms according to the commandment of Yahweh they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hill-country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and lived therein.
Judges 14 verses
- Judges 1:1 וַֽ/יִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp It happened after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked of Yahweh, saying, Who shall go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them?
- Judges 1:14 לִ/שְׁא֤וֹל prep + Qal inf.cs It happened, when she came [to him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she alighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said to her, What would you?
- Judges 4:20 וּ/שְׁאֵלֵ֗/ךְ conj + Qal wpf 3ms + sfx pers 3fs He said to her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man does come and inquire of you, and say, Is there any man here? that you shall say, No.
- Judges 5:25 שָׁאַ֖ל Qal pf 3ms He asked water, [and] she gave him milk; She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
- Judges 8:14 וַ/יִּשְׁאָלֵ֑/הוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms + sfx pers 3ms He caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders of it, seventy-seven men.
- Judges 8:24 אֶשְׁאֲלָ֤ה Qal coh 1cs Gideon said to them, I would make a request of you, that you would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
- Judges 8:26 שָׁאָ֔ל Qal pf 3ms The weight of the golden ear-rings that he requested was one thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold, besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were about their camels' necks.
- Judges 13:6 שְׁאִלְתִּ֨י/הוּ֙ Qal pf 1cs + sfx pers 3ms Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, and his face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn't ask him whence he was, neither did he tell me his name:
- Judges 13:18 תִּשְׁאַ֣ל Qal impf 2ms The angel of Yahweh said to him, Why do you ask after my name, seeing it is wonderful?
- Judges 18:5 שְׁאַל Qal impv 2ms They said to him, Ask counsel, we pray you, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
- Judges 18:15 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲלוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp They turned aside there, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even to the house of Micah, and asked him of his welfare.
- Judges 20:18 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The children of Israel arose, and went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? Yahweh said, Judah [shall go up] first.
- Judges 20:23 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֤וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until even; and they asked of Yahweh, saying, Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? Yahweh said, Go up against him.
- Judges 20:27 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp The children of Israel asked of Yahweh (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
1 Samuel 28 verses
- 1 Samuel 1:17 שָׁאַ֖לְתְּ Qal pf 2fs Then Eli answered, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.
- 1 Samuel 1:20 שְׁאִלְתִּֽי/ו Qal pf 1cs + sfx pers 3ms It happened, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of Yahweh.
- 1 Samuel 1:27 שָׁאַ֖לְתִּי Qal pf 1cs For this child I prayed; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him:
- 1 Samuel 1:28 הִשְׁאִלְתִּ֨/הוּ֙ שָׁא֖וּל Hiphil pf 1cs + sfx pers 3ms Qal ptcp.pass ms therefore also I have granted him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is granted to Yahweh. He worshiped Yahweh there.
- 1 Samuel 2:20 שָׁאַ֖ל Qal pf 3ms Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Yahweh give you seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Yahweh. They went to their own home.
- 1 Samuel 8:10 הַ/שֹּׁאֲלִ֥ים ptcl def.art + Qal ptcp.act mp Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who asked of him a king.
- 1 Samuel 10:4 וְ/שָׁאֲל֥וּ conj + Qal wpf 3cp and they will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive of their hand.
- 1 Samuel 10:22 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲלוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Therefore they asked of Yahweh further, Is there yet a man to come here? Yahweh answered, Behold, he has hid himself among the baggage.
- 1 Samuel 12:13 שְׁאֶלְתֶּ֑ם Qal pf 2mp Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and, behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.
- 1 Samuel 12:17 לִ/שְׁא֥וֹל prep + Qal inf.cs Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking you a king.
- 1 Samuel 12:19 לִ/שְׁאֹ֥ל prep + Qal inf.cs All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.
- 1 Samuel 14:37 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? will you deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he didn't answer him that day.
- 1 Samuel 17:22 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֥ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.
- 1 Samuel 17:56 שְׁאַ֣ל Qal impv 2ms The king said, "Inquire whose son the young man is!"
- 1 Samuel 19:22 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֣ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Then went he also to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? One said, Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.
- 1 Samuel 20:6 נִשְׁאֹל֩ נִשְׁאַ֨ל Niphal inf.abs Niphal pf 3ms If your father miss me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
- 1 Samuel 20:28 נִשְׁאֹ֨ל נִשְׁאַ֥ל Niphal inf.abs Niphal pf 3ms Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
- 1 Samuel 22:10 וַ/יִּשְׁאַל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms He inquired of Yahweh for him, and gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
- 1 Samuel 22:13 וְ/שָׁא֥וֹל conj + Qal inf.abs Saul said to him, Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
- 1 Samuel 22:15 ל/שאול לִ/שְׁאָל ל֥/וֹ prep + Qal inf.cs prep + Qal inf.cs prep + sfx pers 3ms Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: don't let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.
- 1 Samuel 23:2 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go and strike these Philistines? Yahweh said to David, Go, and strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.
- 1 Samuel 23:4 לִ/שְׁאֹ֣ל prep + Qal inf.cs Then David inquired of Yahweh yet again. Yahweh answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.
- 1 Samuel 25:5 וּ/שְׁאֶלְתֶּם conj + Qal wpf 2mp David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
- 1 Samuel 25:8 שְׁאַ֨ל Qal impv 2ms Ask your young men, and they will tell you: therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come in a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.
- 1 Samuel 28:6 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn't answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
- 1 Samuel 28:16 תִּשְׁאָלֵ֑/נִי Qal impf 2ms + sfx pers 1cs Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing Yahweh is departed from you, and is become your adversary?
- 1 Samuel 30:8 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David inquired of Yahweh, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? He answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake [them], and shall without fail recover [all].
- 1 Samuel 30:21 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֥ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor; and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people who were with him: and when David came near to the people, he greeted them.
2 Samuel 10 verses
- 2 Samuel 2:1 וַ/יִּשְׁאַל֩ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? Yahweh said to him, Go up. David said, Where shall I go up? He said, To Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 3:13 שֹׁאֵ֨ל Qal ptcp.act ms He said, Well; I will make a league with you; but one thing I require of you: that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.
- 2 Samuel 5:19 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.
- 2 Samuel 5:23 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
- 2 Samuel 8:10 לִ/שְׁאָל prep + Qal inf.cs then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
- 2 Samuel 11:7 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֣ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When Uriah was come to him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered.
- 2 Samuel 12:20 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֕ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of Yahweh, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.
- 2 Samuel 14:18 שֹׁאֵ֣ל Qal ptcp.act ms Then the king answered the woman, Please don't hide anything from me that I shall ask you. The woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
- 2 Samuel 16:23 יִשְׁאַל Qal impf 3ms The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 20:18 שָׁאֹ֧ל יְשָׁאֲל֛וּ Qal inf.abs Piel impf 3mp Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask [counsel] at Abel: and so they ended [the matter].
1 Kings 9 verses
- 1 Kings 2:16 שֹׁאֵ֣ל Qal ptcp.act ms Now I ask one petition of you; don't deny me. She said to him, Say on.
- 1 Kings 2:20 שֹׁאֶ֣לֶת שַׁאֲלִ֣י Qal ptcp.act fs Qal impv 2fs Then she said, I ask one small petition of you; don't deny me. The king said to her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.
- 1 Kings 2:22 שֹׁאֶ֜לֶת וְ/שַֽׁאֲלִי Qal ptcp.act fs conj + Qal impv 2fs King Solomon answered his mother, Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
- 1 Kings 3:5 שְׁאַ֖ל Qal impv 2ms In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
- 1 Kings 3:10 שָׁאַ֣ל Qal pf 3ms The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
- 1 Kings 3:11 שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ שָׁאַ֨לְתָּ שָׁאַ֤לְתָּ שָׁאַ֖לְתָּ וְ/שָׁאַ֧לְתָּ Qal pf 2ms Qal pf 2ms Qal pf 2ms Qal pf 2ms conj + Qal pf 2ms God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;
- 1 Kings 3:13 שָׁאַ֨לְתָּ֙ Qal pf 2ms I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days.
- 1 Kings 10:13 שָׁאָ֔לָה Qal pf 3fs King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants.
- 1 Kings 19:4 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֤ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
2 Kings 6 verses
- 2 Kings 2:9 שְׁאַל֙ Qal impv 2ms It happened, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you. Elisha said, please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.
- 2 Kings 2:10 לִ/שְׁא֑וֹל prep + Qal inf.cs He said, You have asked a hard thing: [nevertheless], if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so to you; but if not, it shall not be so.
- 2 Kings 4:3 שַׁאֲלִי Qal impv 2fs Then he said, Go, borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
- 2 Kings 4:28 הֲ/שָׁאַ֥לְתִּי ptcl inter + Qal pf 1cs Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Didn't I say, Do not deceive me?
- 2 Kings 6:5 שָׁאֽוּל Qal ptcp.pass ms But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
- 2 Kings 8:6 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֥ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
1 Chronicles 5 verses
- 1 Chronicles 4:10 שָׁאָֽל Qal pf 3ms Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! God granted him that which he requested.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13 לִ/שְׁא֥וֹל prep + Qal inf.cs So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn't keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire [thereby],
- 1 Chronicles 14:10 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and will you deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.
- 1 Chronicles 14:14 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֨ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms David inquired again of God; and God said to him, You shall not go up after them: turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
- 1 Chronicles 18:10 ל/שאול לִ/שְׁאָל ל֨/וֹ prep + Qal inf.cs prep + Qal inf.cs prep + sfx pers 3ms he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadarezer and struck him; (for Hadarezer had wars with Tou;) and [he had with him] all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
2 Chronicles 4 verses
- 2 Chronicles 1:7 שְׁאַ֖ל Qal impv 2ms In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11 שָׁ֠אַלְתָּ שָׁאָ֑לְתָּ וַ/תִּֽשְׁאַל Qal pf 2ms Qal pf 2ms conj + Qal wimpf 2ms God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
- 2 Chronicles 9:12 שָׁאָ֔לָה Qal pf 3fs King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which she had brought to the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants.
- 2 Chronicles 11:23 וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֖ל conj + Qal wimpf 3ms He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them food in abundance. He sought [for them] many wives.
Ezra 1 verse
Nehemiah 2 verses
- Nehemiah 1:2 וָ/אֶשְׁאָלֵ֞/ם conj + Qal wimpf 1cs + sfx pers 3mp that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah 13:6 נִשְׁאַ֥לְתִּי Niphal pf 1cs But in all this [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
Job 7 verses
- Job 8:8 שְׁאַל Qal impv 2ms "Please inquire of past generations, Find out about the learning of their fathers.
- Job 12:7 שְׁאַל Qal impv 2ms "But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; The birds of the sky, and they shall tell you.
- Job 21:29 שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם Qal pf 2mp Haven't you asked wayfaring men? Don't you know their evidences,
- Job 31:30 לִ/שְׁאֹ֖ל prep + Qal inf.cs (Yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);
- Job 38:3 וְ֝/אֶשְׁאָלְ/ךָ֗ conj + Qal impf 1cs + sfx pers 2ms Brace yourself like a man, For I will question you, then you answer me!
- Job 40:7 אֶ֝שְׁאָלְ/ךָ֗ Qal impf 1cs + sfx pers 2ms "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.
- Job 42:4 אֶ֝שְׁאָלְ/ךָ֗ Qal impf 1cs + sfx pers 2ms You said, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.'
Psalms 10 verses
- Psalms 2:8 שְׁאַ֤ל Qal impv 2ms Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, The uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
- Psalms 21:4 שָׁאַ֣ל Qal pf 3ms He asked life of you, you gave it to him, Even length of days forever and ever.
- Psalms 27:4 שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי Qal pf 1cs One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after, That I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, To see Yahweh's beauty, And to inquire in his temple.
- Psalms 35:11 יִשְׁאָלֽוּ/נִי Qal impf 3mp + sfx pers 1cs Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don't know about.
- Psalms 40:6 שָׁאָֽלְתָּ Qal pf 2ms Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire. You have opened my ears: Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
- Psalms 78:18 לִֽ/שְׁאָל prep + Qal inf.cs They tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.
- Psalms 105:40 שָׁאַ֣ל Qal pf 3ms They asked, and he brought quails, And satisfied them with the bread of the sky.
- Psalms 109:10 וְ/שִׁאֵ֑לוּ conj + Piel wpf 3cp Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins.
- Psalms 122:6 שַׁ֭אֲלוּ Qal impv 2mp Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.
- Psalms 137:3 שְֽׁאֵל֪וּ/נוּ Qal pf 3cp + sfx pers 1cp For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
Proverbs 2 verses
Ecclesiastes 2 verses
- Ecclesiastes 2:10 שָֽׁאֲל֣וּ Qal pf 3cp Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.
- Ecclesiastes 7:10 שָׁאַ֥לְתָּ Qal pf 2ms Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.
Isaiah 7 verses
- Isaiah 7:11 שְׁאַל Qal impv 2ms "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."
- Isaiah 7:12 אֶשְׁאַ֥ל Qal impf 1cs But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."
- Isaiah 30:2 שָׁאָ֑לוּ Qal pf 3cp that set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt!
- Isaiah 41:28 וְ/אֶשְׁאָלֵ֖/ם conj + Qal impf 1cs + sfx pers 3mp When I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word.
- Isaiah 45:11 שְׁאָל֔וּ/נִי Qal impv 2mp + sfx pers 1cs Thus says Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command you me.
- Isaiah 58:2 יִשְׁאָל֨וּ/נִי֙ Qal impf 3mp + sfx pers 1cs Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and didn't forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
- Isaiah 65:1 שָׁאָ֔לוּ Qal pf 3cp I am inquired of by those who didn't ask; I am found by those who didn't seek me: I said, See me, see me, to a nation that was not called by my name.
Jeremiah 11 verses
- Jeremiah 6:16 וְ/שַׁאֲל֣וּ conj + Qal impv 2mp Thus says Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein].
- Jeremiah 15:5 לִ/שְׁאֹ֥ל prep + Qal inf.cs For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? or who will bemoan you? or who will turn aside to ask of your welfare?
- Jeremiah 18:13 שַֽׁאֲלוּ Qal impv 2mp Therefore thus says Yahweh: Ask you now among the nations, who has heard such things; the virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.
- Jeremiah 23:33 יִשְׁאָלְ/ךָ֩ Qal impf 3ms + sfx pers 2ms When this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask you, saying, What is the burden of Yahweh? then shall you tell them, What burden! I will cast you off, says Yahweh.
- Jeremiah 30:6 שַׁאֲלוּ Qal impv 2mp Ask now, and see whether a man does travail with child: why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
- Jeremiah 36:17 שָׁאֲל֖וּ Qal pf 3cp They asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How did you write all these words at his mouth?
- Jeremiah 37:17 וַ/יִּשְׁאָלֵ֨/הוּ conj + Qal wimpf 3ms + sfx pers 3ms Then Zedekiah the king sent, and fetched him: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from Yahweh? Jeremiah said, There is. He said also, You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
- Jeremiah 38:14 שֹׁאֵ֨ל Qal ptcp.act ms Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet to him into the third entry that is in the house of Yahweh: and the king said to Jeremiah, I will ask you a thing; hide nothing from me.
- Jeremiah 38:27 וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ conj + Qal wimpf 3mp Then came all the princes to Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
- Jeremiah 48:19 שַׁאֲלִי Qal impv 2fs Inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and watch: ask him who flees, and her who escapes; say, What has been done?
- Jeremiah 50:5 יִשְׁאָ֔לוּ Qal impf 3mp They shall inquire concerning Zion with their faces turned toward it, [saying], Come you, and join yourselves to Yahweh in an everlasting covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Lamentations 1 verse
Ezekiel 1 verse
Hosea 1 verse
Jonah 1 verse
Micah 1 verse
Haggai 1 verse
Zechariah 1 verse
About this entry
At a glance — auto-summarized from this page’s data, not written by a person. Every figure links to its source below. This summary describes the numbers; it doesn’t interpret them.
“to ask” is the headline sense of the Hebrew verb שאל (shâʼal). “enquired” is the historic King James Version rendering; modern versions use “ask.” See the renderings breakdown. The Hebrew Bible uses it across 157 verses — common. First canonically at Genesis 24:47, it enters the text early. Across 4 stems, its meaning turns on the binyan (Qal, Niphal). The sections below give every sense, occurrence, and version rendering.
Gloss history
Strong's 1890 vs modern scholarship
About this word
Strong's H7592 catalogs a Hebrew word from the Hebrew Old Testament.
These counts are not copied from any lexicon or concordance. They are computed here, from the morphology-tagged Hebrew Old Testament. What Lemma adds →
- 157
- distinct verses
- The word appears in 157 distinct verses.
- 27 / 39
- OT books
- The word appears in 27 of 39 Old Testament books.
- #265
- by frequency
- Top 500 most frequent Hebrew words (rank 265 of 8,640 Hebrew words by occurrence).
View all 157 occurrences in the concordance →
By section of the Old Testament
By traditional corpus
Conventional, traditional groupings — biblical authorship is debated, so this is a traditional corpus grouping, not an authorship claim. Each share is this word’s portion of its verses in that division of the Hebrew canon. Each figure is a share of the word’s 157 distinct verses.
- Prophets (Nevi'im) 96 verses · 61%
- Writings (Ketuvim) 34 verses · 22%
- Torah (Pentateuch) 27 verses · 17%
How translations render this word
Counts come from each version’s own published word-to-Strong’s tagging or interlinear alignment — an approximate guide to how each version renders this word, not a word-level alignment the data otherwise carries. Because each total is that version’s own tagged count, the per-version totals vary from one another and need not match the appearance or distinct-verse counts above. These counts may also differ from a printed concordance because Lemma counts each distinctly tagged rendering and does not collapse phrase taggings into a single head-word total. This is a fixed set of word-tagged versions (KJV, ASV, BSB, ULT) and does not change with the reading translation you choose elsewhere. Each version’s license is shown beside its name below (and on Sources).
BDB lists this Strong’s number as 2 distinct words (homographs). Each count above pools all of them and is not split by sense — see the Senses section below. A low-frequency rendering may belong to a different one of those words, not the primary meaning.
- King James Version†: Ask 27×, Asked 16×, Enquired 11×
- American Standard Version†: Ask 23×, Asked 15×, Inquired 11×
- Berean Standard Bible†: Ask 21×, Inquired 13×, Asked 7×
- unfoldingWord Literal Text†: Ask 31×, Asked 14×, And 11×
King James Version Public Domain
Renders H7592 across 172† tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 65 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 1 further occurrence.
American Standard Version Public Domain
Renders H7592 across 171† tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 73 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
Berean Standard Bible Public Domain
Renders H7592 across 165† tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 84 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 8 further occurrences.
unfoldingWord Literal Text CC BY-SA 4.0
Renders H7592 across 204† tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 55 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
10 senses and sub-senses in the full BDB
Hebrew verbs can shift meaning by stem (binyan): Qal is the basic action, Niphal is often passive or reflexive, Piel often intensifies or makes it factitive, and Hiphil is typically causative. The senses below are grouped under the stem BDB assigns to each.
What do BDB’s symbols mean?
BDB uses these scholarly abbreviations:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 𝔊 | the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation, LXX) |
| 𝔙 | the Vulgate (the Latin translation) |
| 𝔖 | the Syriac version (the Peshitta) |
| 𝔗 | the Targum (the Aramaic translation) |
| ψ | the Psalms |
| √ | root (the underlying root or stem) |
| ‖ | parallel passage (a synonymous or contrasted parallel) |
| † | the dagger: every passage where the word occurs is cited |
The 10 senses and sub-senses the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon distinguishes for this word, in lexicon order (not ranked by frequency), with BDB’s own verbatim wording and sub-sense lettering. Shown in Hebrew script with BDB’s own scholarly abbreviations. The condensed entry is in the Lexicon Entry tab. See also the Forms in the corpus table below.
Qal
- Pf. 3 ms. שׁ׳ Ju 5:25 +, שָׁאָ֑ל Ju 8:26 + 2 times; consec. וְשָׁ֫אַל לוֹ Nu 27:21; sf. וּשְׁאֵלְךָ consec. Gn 32:18 (Ges§ 64 f), וּשְׁאֵלֵךְ consec. Ju 4:20; 1 s. sf. שְׁאִלְתִּיו 1 S 1:20, שְׁאִלְתִּיהוּ Ju 13:16; 3 pl. sf. שְׁאֵלוּנוּ ψ 137:3; 2 mpl. שְׁאֶלְתֶּם 1 S 12:13 (del. 𝔊 Th We Dr and most), Jb 21:29, וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּס־ consec. 1 S 25:5, etc.; Impf. 3 ms. יִשְׁאַל Ex 22:13 +, etc.; Imv. שְׁאַל Is 7:11 +, שְׁאָלוּנִי Is 45:11 (תִּשְׁאָלוּנִי Weir Che al.), etc.; Inf. abs. שָׁאוֹל Gn 43:7 +; cstr. לִשְׁאֹל Ju 1:14 +, etc.; Pt. act. שֹׁאֵל 2 S 3:13 +, fs. שֹׁאֶלֶת 1 K 2:20, 22, mpl. הַשֹּׁאֲלִים 1 S 8:10; pass. שָׁאוּל 1:28; 2 K 6:5;— e.g. Judges 5:25
- 1.
- a. ask, ask for, acc. rei (vel pers.) Ju 5:25; 8:26; 1 K 3:10 ψ 122:6 (= pray for) +; שׁ׳ אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ לָמוּת 1 K 19:4; Jon 4:8, i.e. pray for death, but Jb 31:30 demand the life of another בְּאָלָה by a curse; c. ל pers. 1 K 2:22(×2) + (ל pers. reflex.) 1 S 12:17, 19 +; c. מִן pers. Ju 8:24 (acc. cogn.), Ezr 8:22; Zc 10:1 +; sq. הָבִין 1 K 3:11; sq. cl. שׁ׳ מָה אֶתֶּן־לָֽךְ׃ 1 K 3:5 = 2 Ch 1:7, cf. 2 K 2:9; c. acc. + מֵאֵת pers. 1 S 8:10 ψ 27:4 (from י׳) +; + מֵעִם pers. Is 7:11 (from י׳) +; c. acc. pers. (from whom) + rei †ψ 137:3; acc. om. Is 7:12; 2 S 12:20; 1 K 2:20; c. מִן pers. ψ 2:8; abs. Mi 7:3 ψ 105:40 (of prayer); הִקְשִׁיתָ לִשְׁאוֹל 2 K 2:10, i.e. thou hast asked for a difficult thing.—1 S 2:20 v. Hiph. e.g. Judges 5:25
- b. specif. ask as a favour, for temporary use, i.e. borrow (cf. לָוָה, as matter of business, v. Bu 1 S 1:28), Ex 22:13 (E; acc. rei + מֵעִם pers.), 2 K 4:3 (acc. rei + מִן of source + ל pers. reflex.), 6:5 (pt. pass. abs.); so also (according to many), c. acc. rei Ex 3:22 (+ מִן pers.) 11:2; 12:35 (both + מֵאֵת pers.; all E),—it is, however, not clear that there was any pretext of mere temporary use; pt. pass. שָׁאוּל לי׳ 1 S 1:28 (lent, granted) made over to י׳ (in effect pass. of Hiph., q.v.). e.g. 1 Samuel 1:28
- c. in weakened sense, seek, desire (late), c. acc. 2 Ch 11:23 Ec 2:10 (subj. עֵינַי); Pr 20:4 in harvest he shall look [for a crop], וָאָ֑יִן and there shall be none. e.g. 2 Chronicles 11:23
- 2.
- a. inquire of, c. acc. pers. + לֵאמֹר before inquiry Gn 32:18 (E), 44:19 (J) +; c. וְאָמַר Ju 4:20, וַיֹּאמֶר, etc., Gn 24:47 (J), Je 37:13; sq. וְאָמַר without acc. pers. Gn 32:30 (J), cf. 1 S 19:22, sq. לֵאמֹר Jos 4:6 (JE); c. acc. pers. + עַל rei Ne 1:2; עַל rei alone, Ec 7:10 (+ מֵחָכְמָה, i.e. prompted by wisdom); c. acc. pers. + rei (about which) 2 S 14:18; Is 45:11 + 4 times; acc. pers. + indir.quest. Ju 13:6; c. acc. pers. only, Ju 8:14; 1 S 25:8 Dt 32:7 +, inquire of beasts (acc.) Jb 12:7; c. acc. rei only, Je 50:5; c. ל pers. = acc. 2 K 8:6 (KöSynt. § 289 h); c. ל rei about which Gn 26:7 (J), 32:30 (J), Ju 13:18; 2 S 11:7; Je 6:16; Jb 8:8, also (+ לאמר before the inquiry) Gn 43:7 (J), and (sq. direct question) Dt 4:32; c. ל pers. about whom, Gn 43:27 (J), cf. phr. of greeting, שׁ׳ אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ לְשָׁלוֹם Ex 18:7 (E) ask each for (or about) his fellow as to welfare, cf. †Ju 18:15; 1 S 10:4; 17:22; 25:5; 30:21 [read וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ לוֹ 𝔊 𝔖 We Dr HPS Bu] 2 S 8:10; Je 15:5; 1 Ch 18:10; sq. direct question only, 1 S 17:56; Je 18:13 (c. ב loc.), sq. indirect question only (c. אִם) Je 30:6; שׁ׳ אֶת־פִי פ׳ Gn 24:57 (J); abs. make inquiry Dt 13:15 (+ דָּרַשׁ, חָקַר). e.g. Genesis 32:18
- b. inquire of, consult, deity, oracle, etc. (JastrJBL xix (1900), 88 ff.), sq. acc. פִּי י׳ Jos 9:14 (JE), Is 30:2, י׳ 65:1 (‖ בִּקֵּשׁ); elsewhere in Hex only (acc. om.), Nu 27:21 (P; c. ל pers. for whom, + ב instr.), cf. Jos 19:50; also שׁ׳ אוֹב Dt 18:11 (pt. as subst.; JägerBAS ii. 292 cp. Assyrian maššaku ša šâ’ili, i.e. skin-vessel of the oracle-seeker, cf. JastrJBL xix (1900), 96 ff.); c. acc. of human agent 1 S 28:16; Je 38:14, 27; usually (ancient usage, chiefly Ju Sm) שׁ׳ בי׳ לֵאמֹר (בְּ perhaps orig. local, so GFM, or instr.), Ju 1:1; 20:23; 1 S 23:2; 30:8; 2 S 2:1; 5:19 = 1 Ch 14:10; לֵאמֹר om. 1 S 10:22 (sq. direct question), 22:10 (ל pers. for whom), 23:4; 28:6; 2 S 5:23 = 1 Ch 14:14; Ju 20:27; שׁ׳ בֵּאלֹהִים Ju 18:5; 20:18; 1 S 14:37 (sq. direct question), also (ל pers. for whom), 22:13, 15; שׁ׳ בִּדְבַר הָא׳ 2 S 16:23; likewise שׁ׳ בְּעֵצוֹ Ho 4:12 (i.e. his idol), בַּתְּרָפִים Ez 21:26, בָּאוֹב 1 Ch 10:13; perhaps = receive as oracle Dt 18:16 (מֵעִם י׳), Jastrl.c.. e.g. Joshua 9:14
Niphal
- ask for oneself (Ges§ 51 e), specif. ask leave of absence, c. מִן pers.: Pf. 3 ms. + Inf. abs. נִשְׁאֹל נִשְׁאַל 1 S 20:6 (sq. inf.), v 28 (sq. עַד;? ins. ל inf. HPS); Pf. 1 s. נִשְׁאַלְתִּי מִן־הַמֶּלֶךְ Ne 13:6 (abs.). e.g. 1 Samuel 20:6
Piel
- 1. inquire carefully: Impf. 3 mpl. + Qal Inf. abs. שָׁאוֹל יְשָֽׁאֲלוּ 2 S 20:18 (Bu proposes Qal Impf. יִשְׁאֲלוּ), c. ב loc.; on foll. context v. We Dr HPS Bu. e.g. 2 Samuel 20:18
- 2. beg, practise beggary, Pf. 3 pl. וְשִׁאֵ֑לוּ (consec.) ψ 109:10. e.g. Psalms 109:10
Hiphil
- (proposes let one ask [successfully], give, or lend, on request, then) grant, make over to (as a favour, with or without request): Pf. 1 s. sf. הִשְׁאִלְתִּהוּ לי׳ 1 S 1:28 I have made him over to י׳ (cf. Dr HPS Bu and Qal Pt. pass., ib.); perhaps also read 3 fs. הִשְׁאִילָה לי׳ 2:20 (whom) she hath made over to י׳ (for שָׁאַל לי׳) Bu HPS (after 𝔊 in part; other conj. in Dr); Impf. 3 mpl. sf. rei וַיַּשְׁאִלוּם Ex 12:36 (E) and they handed them over. e.g. 1 Samuel 1:28
Senses from the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon (Brown, Driver, Briggs; Oxford 1906 — public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). Full attribution on Sources.
Word origin
vb. ask, inquire (NH id.; Assyrian šaʾâlu, Arabic سَأَلَ, Ethiopic ሰአለ: Sab. מסאל request, petition, HomChrest. 124 Levy-Os ZMG xix (1865), 165; Aramaic ܫܶܐܠ, שְׁאֵיל; O Aramaic Zinj. שאל Ldzb371, Nab. Hiph. lend id.ib.;—on שׁ׳ cf. Jastr JBL xix (1900), 82 ff.);—
— Brown-Driver-Briggs (Oxford 1906, public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). See Sources.
Origin: a primitive root
Jastrow Dictionary
A second Hebrew/Aramaic lexicon for comparison, covering Aramaic and post-biblical (Talmudic, Targumic, Midrashic) usage that the biblical-Hebrew BDB does not. Matched by lemma rather than by Strong’s number, so a lemma may carry more than one Jastrow headword (shown separately below), and the entries cover usage well beyond the Bible.
שָׁאַל
- (b. h.)
- 1. to ask, beg; to inquire, question. Yoma 75ᵃ bot. בשר ששָׁאֲלוּ שלא וכ׳ flesh for which they asked unreasonably was given them at an unreasonable time (in the evening) &c. Taan. 4ᵃ, v. הוֹגָן. Ber. V, 2 (33ᵃ) הגשמים וכ׳ (את) ושׁוֹאֲלִין (Bab. ed. ושְׁאֵלָה, v. Rabb. D. S. a. l.) and the prayer for rain is inserted in the Benediction of Years (the ninth section of the Prayer of Benedictions, v. שָׁנָה). Taan. I, 1 אף אני לא אמרתי לִשְׁאוֹל אלא להזכיר I also did not say, ‘to ask’ for rain, but to mention rain. Ib. 2. Y. Ber. V, 9ᵇ bot. שׁוֹאֵל צרכיו, v. צוֹרֶךְ. B. Bath. IX, 1 יִשְׁאֲלוּ וכ׳, v. פֶּתַח. Ab. IV, 18 ואל תִּשְׁאַל לו בשעת נדרו ask not thy neighbor (as to circumstances which may change the aspects of his vow) at the moment of his vow, v. infra Nif. Ib. V, 7 שואל כענין ומשיב וכ׳ he (the wise student) asks pertinent questions, and (when asked) replies in agreement with the adopted law. Bekh. 36ᵃ עמד השואל וש׳ יכ׳ the questioner (at college) arose and asked &c. Ned. 20ᵃ שָׁאֲלוּ את וכ׳ they asked Imma Shalom &c. Nidd. 68ᵇ בראשון לא שָׁאַלְתִּי … שלא שאלתי as to the first day I did not ask, and I made a mistake in not asking. Gen. R. s. 68 מטרונה שָׁאֲלָה וכ׳ a Roman matron asked R. José &c.; a. v. fr.—Yoma 73ᵃ כיצד שׁוֹאֲלִין השואל פניו כלפי נִשְׁאָל הנשאל וכ׳ how were the Urim and Tummim consulted? The inquirer had his face directed to him (the priest) who was consulted, and the latter directed himself to the Divine Presence (the Urim and Tummim). Ib. אין שואלין שני וכ׳ you must not ask two questions at a time; a. fr.—ש׳ בשלום (or sub. בשלום) to salute. M. Kat. 21ᵇ הוא שואל בשלום אחרים … אחרים אין שואלין בשלומו וכ׳ he (the mourner during the first thirty days) may inquire after the peace of others, for they dwell in peace, but others must not inquire after his peace, for he does not dwell in peace. Ib. משיב ואינו שואל, v. שׁוּב; a. fr.
- 2. (cmp. דָּרַשׁ) to discuss, lecture. Tosef. Meg. IV (III), 5 שואלין הילכות וכ׳ the laws of Passover are expounded on Passover &c., v. עִנְיָן; Meg. 29ᵇ שואלין בהלכות וכ׳; Y. Pes. I, 27ᵇ bot.; Bab. Pes. 6ᵃ שואלין בהלכות וכ׳ Ms. M. (ed. שואלין ודורשין, v. Rabb. D. S. a. l. note); Snh. 12ᵇ; a. fr.
- 3. (cmp. בְּעֵי I) to beg to remark, to submit. Y. Shek. I, beg. 45ᵈ ר׳ חזקיה ש׳ מעתה וכ׳ R. Ḥ. remarked, according to this &c. Ib. 46ᵇ. Y. Snh. IX, 27ᵃ bot.; a. fr.
- 4. to ask for a loan, to borrow. Sabb. XXIII, 1 שואל אדם מחבירו וכ׳ a man may borrow of his neighbor vessels of wine or oil (on the Sabbath), but must not say הַלְוֵינִי (v. infra Hif.); a. fr.—Esp. to borrow an object for use (with ref. to Ex. XXII, 13 sq.). B. Mets. 103ᵃ שואל אדם בטובו לעולם if a person borrows an object (saying, ‘lend it to me) for its usefulness’, it is a standing loan (he is permitted to take it whenever he desires to use it). Ib. VIII, 1 השואל את הפרה וש׳ בעליה עמה if a person borrows a cow for work, borrowing her owner with her (the owner lending his personal service). Ib. 95ᵇ שָׁאֲלָהּ ואחר כך ש׳ וכ׳ if he borrowed the cow only, and after a while borrowed her owner; a. fr.—שׁוֹאֵל the borrower of an object. Ib. 95ᵃ חיובא דש׳ the responsibility of the borrower. Ib. 96ᵇ top ש׳ הוי או שוכר הוי is he legally considered a borrower or a hirer? Ib. III, 2 והש׳ ישלם וכ׳ and the borrower must indemnify the hirer; a. fr.—Sabb. 96ᵇ אורגי … לשׁוֹאֲלֵיהֶן (Ar. לשווליהן, v. שְׁוַולְיָא) the curtain weavers were wont to throw the clue over to such as would borrow it from them.—Part. pass. שָׁאוּל; f. שְׁאוּלָה &c. Taan. 23ᵇ טלית ש׳ היתה וכ׳ it was a cloak that had been lent to me, I had borrowed it for such a purpose (for ordinary wear), but not for that purpose (to wear it when carrying a load). Ib. IV, 8 שבחן … בכלי לבן שְׁאוּלִין וכ׳ on those days the maidens of Zion went out (to the vineyards) in white garments borrowed for the purpose, in order not to put to shame those who had none; a. fr.— [Gen. R. s. 65 לא שאול … ולא שאולה, v. next w.—Gen. R. s. 19 שאולת חומץ, read: שׁוֹאֶלֶת, a woman asking for some vinegar.] e.g. Exodus 22:13
- 1. to cause inquiry, to inquire. Ber. 6ᵇ כל הרגיל … הקב"ה מַשְׁאִיל בו if one who comes regularly to synagogue fails to come one day, the Lord holds inquiry about him. Yeb. 76ᵇ עד שאתה משאיל עליו … שְׁאַל וכ׳ instead of inquiring about him whether or not he is fit for government, ask whether &c. Ib. (in Chald. dict.) אאבוה קא משאיל he (Saul) asked (Abner) to inquire who his (David’s) father was. B. Bath. 123ᵃ היתה יושבת … ומַשְׁאֶלֶת וכ׳ she sat at the cross-roads and made inquiries; a. e.
- 2. to lend. Sabb. 148ᵃ (ref. to Mish. ib. XIII, 1, v. supra) מאי שנא הַשְׁאִילֵינִי ומאי שנא הלויני what is the difference, whether you say hashileni (lend me) or halveni (loan me)? השאיליני לא אתי למיכתב וכ׳ when you say ‘lend me’, no document is expected to be written for it &c. Ned. IV, 6 חמודר … לא יַשְׁאִילֶנּוּ ולא יִשְׁאַל ממנו he who by his neighbor’s vow is forbidden any benefit at his hand, must neither lend him nor borrow from him &c. B. Mets. 116ᵃ דברים העשויין להַשְׁאִיל וכ׳ things which are frequently lent out or hired out; a. fr.—מַשְׁאִיל the lender, owner of the lent object. Ib. 96ᵃ; a. fr.—[Pesik. Vayhi, p. 63ᵃ שאילו השאיל, v. שָׁחַל II.]
- 1. to be asked, consulted. Yoma 73ᵃ בגדים … נ׳ בהן when the war chaplain is consulted, he wears the garments which the high priest wears when he officiates, v. supra. Ib. 85ᵃ נִשְׁאֲלָח שאלה וכ׳ the following question was asked in their presence; Kidd. 40ᵇ. Ned. 81ᵃ דבר זה נ׳ לחכמים וכ׳ this problem was placed before the scholars and the prophets, and they could not solve it &c.; a. fr.
- 2. נ׳ על to allow one’s self to be asked about the circumstances of a case, to appear before a scholar for a decision on a ritual case. Y. Ter. VIII, 46ᵃ bot. שדעתו להִישָּׁאֵל עליה a case (of T’rumah) which he had intended to have a scholar decide. Ib. הריני מניחה על מנת שאֶישָּׁאֵל עליה I put it (the doubtful T’rumah) aside with the intention of having it decided &c. Toh. III, 6 שאין בו דעת להִשָּׁאֵל (a child) whose mind is not sufficiently developed to be questioned. Ib. V, 5 אם נִשְׁאֲלוּ זה וכ׳ if they come for a decision, each of them separately; a. fr.—Esp. (על נדרו) נ׳ to come before a scholar for absolution from a vow. Ned. 90ᵃ קונם … ולמי שאֶשָּׁאֵל עליו if one vows, I will not be benefited by N. N., nor by any scholar to whom I may apply for absolution from this vow; נ׳ על הראשון וכ׳ he must first apply for absolution from the first part of the vow, and then from the second. Ib. נ׳ על נדרו … נזרו he must first apply for absolution from his vow of abstinence, and then from his nazaritic vow. Ib. 69ᵃ נִשְׁאָלִין על ההקם וכ׳ you may apply for absolution in order to revoke your confirmation (of your daughter’s vow), but you cannot do so in order to revoke your invalidation; a. fr.
- 3. to be borrowed, to do gratuitous service. B. Mets. 96ᵃ שותפין ששאלו ונ׳ לאחד מהן if partners borrow an animal for work, and its owner lends his services to one of them individually. Ib. האומר לשלוחו צא והִשָּׁאֵל לי וכ׳ (not והשאיל) if a person says to his deputy, go out and do work in my behalf together with my cow (lent to my neighbor). Ib. האומר לעבדו צא והשאל עם וכ׳ if he says to his slave, go out and do work &c.; a. e.
שְׁאַל
- 1. to ask, inquire, beg. Targ. II Kings III, 11. Targ. I Kings XIX, 4. Targ. Job XXXI, 30 למִשְׁאַל Ms. (ed. למִשְׁיַיל, למִשְׁיַל). Targ. Y. Deut. I, 1 שַׁיְילְתוּן (ed. Vien. שַׁיְילַתַּוּן, read: שַׁיַּילְתּוּן, Pa). Targ. Ps. CXXXVII, 3; a. fr.—ש׳ לשלם, ש׳ בשלם, v. שְׁלָם.—Sabb. 20ᵇ; 21ᵃ שְׁאִילְתִּינְהוּ לכל וכ׳, v. נָחוֹתָא. Ib. 30ᵃ שׁאוּל שאילה זו וכ׳ they asked the following question &c., v. עֵיל. Taan. 21ᵃ אי איכא דשָׁאֵיל לי וכ׳ if any one were to ask me a question from the Mishnah of &c. Y. Shebi. VII, 37ᶜ top הא גברא מִישְׁאֲלִינֵיה אתא שַׁאֲלוּנֵיה וכ׳ (not מישאלינית) here is a man whom you night ask; he came, and they asked; a. fr.—Part. pass. שְׁאִיל. Sabb. 30ᵇ ולענין שאילה דשְׁאִילְנָא קדמיכון and as to the question which I have been asked in your presence; [Rashi: דשָׁאֵילְנָא which I asked, a courteous phrase for ‘which you asked of me’]; a. e.
- 2. to borrow. Targ. Ex. XXII, 13; a. fr.—[Targ. O. ib. XII, 36, v. infra Af.]—B. Mets. 97ᵃ ההוא גברא דש׳ וכ׳ a man borrowed a cat from his neighbor &c. Ib. האי … למִישְׁאַל מידי וכ׳ if one wishes to borrow an object from his neighbor and be free from responsibility for an accident &c. Ib. נימא ליה שְׁאֵיל וכ׳ let him (the lender) say to him, first take what you want to borrow, and then &c. Yeb. 120ᵇ לא שָׁיְילֵי (not שיולי); B. Mets. 27ᵇ לא שְׁאִילֵי, v. סְקַב; a. fr.—Part. pass. as ab. Ib. 97ᵃ שאיל לן מר you (as teacher) are loaned to us, i.e. you are in our service, and if we borrow an object from you, we are not responsible, it being שאילה בבעלים, v. שְׁאִילָה. Ib. אתון שְׁאִילְתּוּן לי you are in my service. Ib. איהו ש׳ להו … אינהו שְׁאִילוּ ליה וכ׳ he (the teacher) is in their (the scholar’s) service on the Kallah day (v. כַּלָּה); they are in his on any other day; a. e.—Gen. R. s. 65 לא שאיל הוא לה ולא שְׁאִילָה היא ליה (some ed. שאול … שאולה) he is not loaned to her, nor she to him, i.e. the simile does not fit the application, nor the application the simile.
- 1. same, same, to ask, borrow &c. Targ. Y. Ex. XII, 35; a. e.—Bets. 19ᵃ אתא … לשַׁיּוּלֵי וכ׳ he came before the Rabbis to ask &c. Ḥull. 3ᵇ דליתיה קמן דלִישַׁיְּילֵיה when he is not before us so that we could ask him. Tam. 32ᵃ מְשַׁיַּילְנָא לכו I am asking you; a. fr.
- 2. to lend. Targ. Y. Ex. XII, 36.—Taan. 21ᵇ, v. זְבִילָא. Ib. דמחממת … ומְשַׁיְּילָא וכ׳ who heated her oven and let her neighbors use it; a. fr.
- to lend. Targ. O. Ex. XII, 36 ed. Berl. (ed. Vien. שאילינון, corr. acc.); a. e.—Yeb. l. c. ולא מוֹשְׁלֵי, v. נְחַשׁ I. B. Mets. 116ᵃ דעביד לאוֹשׁוּלֵי וכ׳ which it is customary to lend and hire out; a. e.
- 1. (with (with מ־) to take leave of absence. Targ. I Sam. XX, 6.
- 2. (with ב־) to allow one’s self to be inquired of; to answer, issue an oracle. Targ. Ez. XIV, 3. Targ. Y. II, Num. XXIV, 1. Targ. Is. LXV, 1.
- 3. (with ל־) to bring a case up for decision, to ask. Y. Maasr. II, beg. 49ᶜ אִשְׁתָּאֲלִית לאילין וכ׳ I asked those of the house of &c. Y. Sabb. XII, 13ᶜ bot., אִשְׁתַּאֲלַת לר׳ שמעון וכ׳ R. S. b. L. was asked. Ib. VI, 8ᵃ ואִיתְשְׁלַת לר׳ ומר וכ׳ when the case was brought before Rabbi, he said &c.; a. fr.—Esp. to come before a scholar for absolution from a vow. Ned. 90ᵃ אי בעי על נדרו איתשיל ברישא וכ׳ if he so desires, he may ask first for absolution from his vow of abstinence, or if he chooses, he may ask first for absolution from his nazaritic vow; ib. נִיתְּשִׁיל; a. fr.
A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature (Marcus Jastrow; London, Luzac, 1903) — Public Domain. Digitized via Sefaria. Digitized via Sefaria. Full attribution on Sources.
Forms in the corpus
The 129 distinct written forms H7592 takes in the Hebrew Bible, most frequent first — each parse links to that stem’s occurrences in the concordance. Hebrew forms include their vowel points and cantillation, so a single lemma takes many written forms.
The 60 most common forms are shown; 69 rarer forms follow in the full concordance.
Same root — word family
Other BDB entries built from the same root as H7592, grouped by Strong’s listed origin. These share a root / origin per the lexicon — not necessarily a shared meaning. Each links to that word’s own entry.
Derived from this word
Proper names from this root
People and places named from this root — a name, not an additional meaning of the word.
- אשתאל ʼEshtâʼôl H847 Eshtaol
- משאל Mishʼâl H4861 Misheal
- שאול shᵉʼôwl H7585 Sheol
- שאול Shâʼûwl H7586 Saul
- שאל Shᵉʼâl H7594 Sheal
- שאלתיאל Shᵉʼaltîyʼêl H7597 Shealtiel
Compare all same-root words → Showing 4 of 10 — not the complete family. 6 of the same-root words are proper names (people or places). They share a root, not necessarily a meaning.
Septuagint verse parallels
This word appears in 150 verses that also exist in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), out of the 157 Hebrew verses it occurs in. You can read those verses in Greek by switching the Old Testament edition to the Septuagint.
Read these verses in the Septuagint
- Genesis 24:47
- Exodus 3:22
- Numbers 27:21
- Deuteronomy 4:32
- Joshua 4:6
- Judges 1:1
- 1 Samuel 1:17
- 2 Samuel 2:1
- 1 Kings 2:16
- 2 Kings 2:9
- 1 Chronicles 4:10
- 2 Chronicles 1:7
This is a verse-level parallel only — the same verses exist in both the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments. No word-level Hebrew↔Greek correspondence is claimed: the data carries no such alignment, so no Greek word is shown as this Hebrew word’s translation. Coverage is not total — the Septuagint omits the deuterocanon and renumbers the Psalms, so some Hebrew verses have no direct Greek parallel.
