English · KJV
H8139

שְׁנָה

shᵉnâh /shen-aw'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to שֵׁנָה
Meaning(sleep)
KJV usagesleep.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉnâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word shᵉnâh, represented by H8139, corresponds to the Hebrew word for sleep. It is a very rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the biblical text, making its single usage highly specific.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H8139 is in the book of Daniel, describing King Darius's state of mind after he has been forced to cast Daniel into the lions' den. The verse recounts that the king returned to his palace, where he spent the night fasting and refused entertainment. In this context of deep distress and anxiety, the text notes that "his sleep went from him" Daniel 6:18, highlighting the king's profound turmoil.

Related Words & Concepts

Several other Aramaic words in the same verse provide a fuller picture of the king's troubled night:

  • H956 bûwth (to lodge over night; pass the night): This word establishes the time frame of the king's distress, indicating that he passed the night in this agitated state Daniel 6:18.
  • H2908 ṭᵉvâth (hunger (as twisting); fasting): This describes the king's deliberate act of fasting, which, alongside his lack of sleep, emphasizes his severe emotional response Daniel 6:18.
  • H5075 nᵉdad (to depart; go from): This verb is used directly with H8139 to show that sleep did not simply elude the king, but actively went from him, as if fleeing Daniel 6:18.

Theological Significance

The significance of H8139 is found entirely in its narrative function. It serves as a powerful indicator of a character's inner state.

  • Physical Manifestation of Distress: The loss of sleep is used to physically manifest the king's extreme anxiety and regret over the events concerning Daniel Daniel 6:18.
  • Narrative Tension: By showing the king's sleepless night, the text builds tension and underscores the gravity of Daniel's situation, contrasting the king's powerlessness with Daniel's faith.

Summary

In summary, H8139 is a specific Aramaic term for sleep whose single use in scripture is notable. Its appearance in Daniel 6:18 is not part of a broad theological doctrine but serves a crucial narrative purpose, effectively conveying the depth of a king's anguish and distress through the simple, relatable experience of a sleepless night.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • שִׁנְתֵּ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H956 בּוּת (Aramaic) apparent denominative from בַּיִת; to lodge over night; pass the night. H2908 טְוָת (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to טָוָה; hunger (as twisting); fasting. H5075 נְדַד (Aramaic) corresponding to נָדַד; to depart; go from.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.