שָׁעָה

shâʻâh /shaw-aw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered
KJV usagedepart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word שָׁעָה (shâʻâh), represented by H8159, is a primitive root related to the act of gazing. It appears 15 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning is diverse, encompassing the ideas of gazing at something for help, inspecting, showing compassion or respect, and being bewildered or dismayed, as if looking around in amazement. It can also mean to look away, depart, or be dim.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H8159 often describes the focus of one's attention, which carries significant spiritual weight. Early in Genesis, the LORD "had respect" H8159 to Abel's offering but not to Cain's Genesis 4:4-5. This act of divine regard establishes a theme of acceptance based on the nature of the offering. Conversely, the word is used to critique misplaced reliance, such as when Israel is chastised because they "look not" H8159 to God for help but instead trust in the armies of Egypt Isaiah 31:1. The word also conveys deep emotional states; God commands his people, "be not dismayed" H8159 Isaiah 41:10, while the prophet, overwhelmed with grief, asks to be left alone, saying "Look away" H8159 from me Isaiah 22:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Hebrew words clarify the meaning of H8159 by appearing in parallel or contrasting contexts:

  • H7200 râʼâh (to see, behold, have respect): This word is used alongside H8159 to emphasize a deliberate turning of attention toward God. In Isaiah, a person will "look" H8159 to his Maker, and his eyes will "have respect" H7200 to the Holy One of Israel Isaiah 17:7.
  • H1875 dârash (to seek or ask; specifically to worship): In Isaiah 31:1, Israel's failure is twofold: they do not "look" H8159 to God and they do not "seek" H1875 Him, highlighting a complete lack of reliance on the divine.
  • H5826 ʻâzar (to surround, i.e. protect or aid; help, succour): This appears in a promise of assurance. God tells His people not to be "dismayed" H8159 because He will "help" H5826 them, directly countering the feeling of looking around for help with the reality of His presence Isaiah 41:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8159 is centered on the direction and nature of one's gaze.

  • The Object of Reliance: The use of H8159 consistently frames the act of looking as an act of trust. To "look" to God is an expression of faith and worship Isaiah 17:7, while to "look" to human strength or idols is a sign of spiritual failure (Isaiah 17:8, Isaiah 31:1). People "looked" H8159 for a savior but found none when they did not turn to the Lord 2 Samuel 22:42.
  • A Plea for Respite: In moments of intense suffering, individuals use this word to ask God to avert His gaze. Job asks God to "Turn" H8159 from him so he can rest Job 14:6 and pleads, "wilt thou not depart" H8159 from me Job 7:19. This reflects a profound sense of being overwhelmed by divine scrutiny.
  • Divine Assurance: God uses the term to offer comfort. The command "be not dismayed" H8159 in Isaiah 41:10 is a direct counter to the fear that comes from gazing at overwhelming circumstances. It shifts the focus from the problem to the promise of God's presence and strength.

Summary

In summary, H8159 is more than a simple verb for seeing; it is a word that captures the posture of the human heart. It describes a spectrum of actions from showing "respect" to God, being "dismayed" by trouble, and asking God to "look away" in moments of anguish. Ultimately, shâʻâh illustrates a fundamental biblical principle: where one chooses to fix their gaze—whether on God, on human power, or on their own troubles—determines their spiritual state and their experience of either divine assurance or desperate bewilderment.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Feminine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×

+ 1 rarer form

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.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (7 verses).

2
Genesis
1
Exodus
1
2 Samuel
2
Job
2
Psalms
7
Isaiah

Verse Explorer

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