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    Pour Out

    שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak)

    To pour out, shed, or spill — used of blood, the Spirit, and prayer.

    Hebrew
    Strong's H8210
    Pronunciation: shah-FAHK
    Quick Answer

    The Hebrew word shaphak means to pour out or shed — used in Scripture for the pouring out of blood in sacrifice, the Spirit in power, and the soul in prayer.

    "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." — Joel 2:28 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Joel 2:28

    “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
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    Psalm 62:8

    “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.”
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    Isaiah 53:12

    “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's H8210 — Pour Out (שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak) appears.

    Open Strong's H8210

    The Meaning of Shaphak

    Shaphak means to pour out, shed, or spill. It is a vivid, physical word — picturing liquid flowing freely from a vessel. In Scripture, it is used of blood poured out in sacrifice, God's Spirit poured out upon His people, God's wrath poured out in judgment, and the human soul poured out in desperate prayer. Each usage carries the sense of complete, unreserved outpouring.

    The Pouring Out of the Spirit

    Joel 2:28 prophesies the great outpouring: 'I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.' This was fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out without restriction — on men and women, old and young, servants and free. Shaphak here pictures abundance, generosity, and universal access to God's empowering presence.

    Pouring Out the Heart

    Psalm 62:8 invites believers to 'pour out your heart before him.' This is prayer at its most honest — holding nothing back, emptying the soul of its burdens, fears, and longings before God. Shaphak prayer is raw, real, and unreserved. It trusts God enough to show Him everything.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does 'pour out' mean in the Bible?

    Shaphak (pour out) means to shed or spill freely. It is used of sacrificial blood, God's Spirit at Pentecost, divine wrath, and honest prayer — each involving a complete, unreserved outpouring.

    What does it mean to pour out your heart to God?

    To pour out your heart (Psalm 62:8) means to pray with complete honesty and vulnerability — holding nothing back, bringing every burden, fear, and longing to God in trust.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Pour Out"?

    Joel 2:28 — "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (KJV). It also appears in Psalm 62:8, Isaiah 53:12.

    Why does the Hebrew word behind "Pour Out" matter?

    Shaphak means to pour out, shed, or spill. English uses one word, "Pour Out", where the Hebrew שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak) carries the fuller sense: to pour out, shed, or spill — used of blood, the spirit, and prayer.

    Related Words

    Spirit
    Prayer
    Blood (Dam)
    Anoint (Chriō)

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Pour Out (שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak))

    To pour out, shed, or spill — used of blood, the Spirit, and prayer.

    Strong's

    Strong's H8210 — Pour Out

    שָׁפַךְ (Shaphak) • To pour out, shed, or spill — used of blood, the Spirit, and prayer.

    Word Meaning

    Heart (לֵב (lev))

    The center of a person — the seat of mind, will, emotions, and spiritual life.

    Strong's

    Strong's H3820 — Heart

    לֵב (lev) • The center of a person — the seat of mind, will, emotions, and spiritual life.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)

    Life, atonement, and covenant with God.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)

    God's presence, purification, and judgment.

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    Oath

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