The Hebrew word shinʼân, represented by H8136, is an idiomatic term for angels. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The word's base definition comes from a root meaning "change, i.e. repetition," which gives rise to its specialized usage as an idiom.
The single use of H8136 appears in a description of divine majesty and power. In Psalms 68:17, the word is used to describe the vast heavenly host accompanying God. The verse states, "The chariots H7393 of God H430 are twenty thousand H7239, even thousands H505 of angels H8136: the Lord H136 is among them, as in Sinai H5514, in the holy H6944 place." This context paints a picture of an immense, powerful angelic army.
Several words within its only context help illustrate the divine power associated with H8136:
- H7393 rekeb (chariot): This word for a vehicle or chariot establishes the military and royal imagery of God's heavenly procession Psalms 68:17.
- H7239 ribbôw (twenty thousand): Defined as a myriad or an indefinitely large number, this term emphasizes the immense scale of the angelic army accompanying God Psalms 68:17.
- H5514 Çîynay (Sinai): The mention of Sinai, a mountain in Arabia, connects this divine procession to the monumental event where God revealed His presence, grounding the vision in a key moment of Israel's history Psalms 68:17.
- H6944 qôdesh (holy): This term, meaning a sacred place or thing, frames the scene as one of divine sanctity and separation Psalms 68:17.
The theological significance of H8136 is derived entirely from its singular appearance in scripture.
- Divine Majesty: The term is used to quantify the "chariots H7393 of God H430," portraying the Lord's power not as a solitary force, but as a king accompanied by a vast heavenly army of thousands Psalms 68:17.
- Angelic Attendance: The angels are described as being with the Lord H136, highlighting their role as attendants to the divine presence and part of His royal entourage.
- Revelation and Holiness: The scene is explicitly compared to God's appearance at Sinai H5514 and in "the holy H6944 place," connecting the angelic multitude with moments of sacred revelation and divine glory Psalms 68:17.
In summary, shinʼân H8136 is a highly specific term whose meaning is defined by its sole context. Appearing only once, it contributes to a powerful image of God's majestic power, portraying Him as a sovereign attended by an immense heavenly host. It illustrates how even a rarely used word can provide a vivid and theologically rich picture of the divine, associating the concept of angels with the overwhelming power and holy presence of God as revealed at Sinai.
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