לְהַשְׁקִיעַ In an age where short-term gratification comes so quickly and easily, we may forget that the verb to invest refers to more than just putting money into the stock market.
To invest is to put anything into something else, with the hope of seeing something better happen. For example, one might invest their attention in another in order for a relationship to blossom.
The Hebrew word for to invest is לְהַשְׁקִיעַ . Its root is שׁ.ק.ע (sh.k.a) meaning sinking – one needs to sink their investment into something – such as sinking seeds into the ground – in order for the investment to grow. Likewise, since an investment entails a risk, it might produce a sinking feeling in the heart of the investor. But investment is necessary, as they say, “no deposit, no return.”
להשקיע is an active-causative הִפְעִיל verb. Here’s an example:
הִיא הִשְׁקִיעָה זְמַן רַב בַּפְּרוֹיֶקְט. She invested much time in the project. An investment is a הַשְׁקָעָה .
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