Shobach
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Shobach in the Bible?
Shobach served as the commander of the Syrian army under King Hadadezer of Zobah, as recorded in 2 Samuel 10:16 and 18, with his name appearing as Shophach in the parallel account of 1 Chronicles 19:16 and 18.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Shobach clarifies the historical context of the Aramean-Israelite conflicts, illustrating the specific military leadership structure of the Syrian coalition that opposed King David's forces.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Shobach reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shobach in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shobach clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
2 Samuel 10:161 Chronicles 19:16
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shobach." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shobach/