שִׁלּוּחִים

שלוחים appears in only three places and exegetes disagree as to its precise meaning.¹

• In Melakhim I 9:16 it describes a gift given as a dowry.²
• In Mikhah 1:14 it describes a tribute.³
• In Shemot 18:2, exegetes differ regarding whether it means a gift or dowry (like the two other cases of the noun) or a sending (either a divorce or a sending – see above regarding the verb) and over the meaning of the verse – see אחר שלוחיה.

1. Gift, tribute

2. Dowry

Factors influencing the opinions:

• Textual – The usage in Melakhim I 9:16 appears to support the definition of dowry, but the verse in Mikhah 1:14 seems to support a more generalized meaning of gift.
• Societal – Dowries (including land dowries) were a common practice in Biblical times and medieval Christian Europe. However, Islamic society does not have dowries (the husband bears full financial responsibility).⁴

There are a number of possibilities regarding the relationship of the noun שלוחים to the verb שלח:

• שלוחים is a parting gift given when sending a daughter away – Northern French exegetes – R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 18:2About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, R. Eliezer of BeaugencyMikhah 1:14About R. Eliezer of Beaugency.
• שלוחים is any gift which is sent to another – perhaps Ibn EzraShemot 18:2About Ibn Ezra.
• There is no connection between the noun and verb.

Intra-Biblical

Rabbinic Hebrew

Modern Hebrew