שָׁנָה

shânâh /shaw-naw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
KJV usagedo (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word shânâh, represented by H8138, is a versatile root that primarily means to change, alter, or repeat. It appears 22 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends from the literal act of doing something a second time to the figurative concepts of transmuting, disguising oneself, or perverting a matter.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H8138 is used to illustrate a wide range of actions and states. It establishes the immutability of God, who declares "I change not" Malachi 3:6 and promises not to alter His covenant Psalms 89:34. Conversely, it describes human actions such as David changing his behavior to feign madness 1 Samuel 21:13 or Jeroboam's wife being instructed to disguise herself 1 Kings 14:2. The word also signifies repetition, as when a dream was doubled to confirm God's established plan Genesis 41:32 or when a command was to be performed a second time 1 Kings 18:34.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help contextualize the idea of change and repetition:

  • H7725 shûwb (to turn back, again): This word is closely related to the idea of repetition. In Proverbs 26:11, a fool who returneth (shânâh) to his folly is compared to a dog that returneth (shûwb) to its vomit.
  • H1870 derek (a course of life or mode of action): The act of changing one's path or allegiance is often described using H8138, as seen when Israel is questioned for so eagerly changing its way Jeremiah 2:36.
  • H1285 bᵉrîyth (covenant): This term for a compact or league is used in direct contrast to H8138 when God promises that He will not alter His covenant Psalms 89:34, highlighting its permanence.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8138 is demonstrated in several key themes:

  • Divine Immutability: The word is foundational to understanding God's unchanging character. His declaration, "I change not" Malachi 3:6, establishes His absolute reliability and faithfulness, which ensures His people are not consumed.
  • Human Fickleness: In contrast to God, humanity is often portrayed as unstable. Scripture warns against associating with those "given to change" Proverbs 24:21 and illustrates the danger of perverting justice Proverbs 31:5 or foolishly repeating sin Proverbs 26:11.
  • Divine Confirmation: While human repetition can signify folly, divine repetition signifies certainty. Pharaoh's dream was doubled to show that "the thing is established by God" and would surely come to pass Genesis 41:32.

Summary

In summary, H8138 is far more than a simple word for change. It operates on a spectrum from literal repetition to profound transformation. It starkly contrasts the unchanging, faithful nature of God with the variable and often unreliable character of humanity. Through its various applications—from perverting judgment to disguising one's identity to confirming a divine decree—shânâh provides crucial insight into the biblical concepts of faithfulness, sin, and divine certainty.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 23 occurrences, inflected in 19 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hithpael Consecutive Perfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Niphal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Plural Feminine Construct 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×

+ 7 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (4 verses).

1
Genesis
2
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
2
1 Kings
1
Nehemiah
3
Esther
2
Job
2
Psalms
4
Proverbs
2
Jeremiah
1
Malachi

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