שָׁשַׁי

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Shâshay, represented by H8343, is a proper name. The base definition is perhaps from שֵׁשׁ; whitish; Shashai, an Israelite; Shashai. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Its use is highly specific, identifying a single individual in the biblical record.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H8343 appears exclusively in a list of names. Its single occurrence is in Ezra 10:40, where Shashai is named as an Israelite. The verse places him alongside other individuals, but the text provides no further details about his life, role, or actions.

Related Words & Concepts

Two other names are listed directly with Shashai in its only scriptural appearance:

• H4367 Maknadbay (Machnadebai): Defined as "from מָה and נָדַב with a particle interposed; what (is) like (a) liberal (man) ?; Maknadbai, an Israelite; Machnadebai." This name appears alongside Shashai in the list found in Ezra 10:40.
• H8298 Shâray (Sharai): Defined as "probably from שָׁרַר; hostile; Sharay, an Israelite; Sharai." This individual is also named in the same list in Ezra 10:40.

Theological Significance

Unlike words with broad theological implications, the significance of H8343 is primarily historical and etymological.

• Specific Identification: The name's sole purpose is to identify Shashai, an Israelite mentioned in a specific list. It does not carry any abstract theological weight.
• Potential Meaning: The name's derivation suggests a possible meaning of whitish, though the text offers no commentary on this attribute.
• Historical Record: Its inclusion in Ezra 10:40 serves to document one of the individuals present in the post-exilic community, functioning as part of a genealogical or census-style record.

Summary

In summary, H8343 is a proper noun for the Israelite named Shashai. Its biblical presence is confined to a single mention in Ezra 10:40. While its potential etymology points to the meaning whitish, its scriptural role is purely as an identifier within a list, lacking the broader conceptual or theological development seen in other Hebrew words. It stands as an example of a word with a singular, specific function in the biblical text.