שֵׁן
𐤔𐤍
shên
H8128 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tooth; a hard, calcified structure in the mouths of humans and animals, used for biting or chewing. In extended usage, may denote pointed objects resembling teeth (such as mountain peaks, edges, or prongs), a projection, or a destructive force (e.g., as a metaphor for devouring or consuming). In Aramaic passages within the Hebrew Bible, serves primarily in its literal sense but can carry figurative meanings as well.
Semantic Range
tooth (literal tooth of a person or animal), teeth as a symbol of destructive power, pointed edge or projection, prong, metaphorical agent of destruction
Root / Etymology
Root: ש-נ-ן (שנן). Derived from the root שנן meaning 'to be sharp, pointed, to repeat.' The noun שֵׁן stems from this root, originally signifying 'a pointed object,' with 'tooth' as its primary and most concrete example. The form here is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew שֵׁן with identical meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שֵׁן primarily denotes a literal tooth but is employed at times in figurative expressions such as 'the teeth of lions' (symbolizing destructive power, violence) or to describe sharp objects or projections resembling teeth. In Daniel (Aramaic portions), the usage continues this tradition. The term never carries the extended meanings or special status in ritual or law that some body parts receive. English 'tooth' is accurate for the primary sense, but metaphorical applications (such as describing physical features or enemies) are often under-translated in significance. The root also gives rise to words for 'repeat' or 'learn by repetition,' but this meaning is not reflected in the noun שֵׁן itself. In Aramaic, the usage is indistinguishable from its Hebrew cognate. Compare to related terms like שִׁן (shin – the letter) and its association with sharpness or pointedness, though these are distinct in usage. The Aramaic שֵׁן appears primarily in exilic and post-exilic biblical texts such as Daniel.
Translation Consistency
שֵׁן is primarily the literal noun ‘tooth’ (and by extension ‘teeth’ for plural or figurative uses such as pointed projections or agents of destruction). Using the singular noun “tooth” as the base provides a natural, consistent English lemma that can be inflected as needed (teeth, tooth’s, teeth’s) while covering both literal and extended senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to שֵׁן; a tooth; tooth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
שנן (shên) — to sharpen, be pointed, make sharp
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8127 | שֵׁן | in a tooth |
| H8148 | שְׁנִינָה | sharpened taunt |
| H8150 | שָׁנַן | I sharpen myself |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8128-01 |
שִׁנַּ֑/הּ | shinah | ANcfsc/Sp3fs |
its teeth | her tooth | her tooth | 2 |
H8128-02 |
שני/ה | shnyh | ANcfpd/Td |
its teeth | her teeth | her teeth | 2 |
H8128-03 |
וְ/שִׁנַּ֨יִן | veshinayin | AC/Ncfda |
and teeth | and two teeth | and teeth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8128-02 |
Daniel 7:5 | שני/ה | shnyh | ANcfpd/Td |
its teeth | her teeth | her teeth |
H8128-01 |
Daniel 7:5 | שִׁנַּ֑/הּ | shinah | ANcfsc/Sp3fs |
its teeth | her tooth | her tooth |
H8128-03 |
Daniel 7:7 | וְ/שִׁנַּ֨יִן | veshinayin | AC/Ncfda |
and teeth | and two teeth | and teeth |
H8128-02 |
Daniel 7:19 | שני/ה | shnyh | ANcfdc/Sp3fs |
its teeth | her teeth | her teeth |
H8128-01 |
Daniel 7:19 | שִׁנַּ֤/הּ | shinah | ANcfsc/Sp3fs |
its teeth | her tooth | its teeth |