שַׁעְשֻׁעַ
𐤔𐤏𐤔𐤏
shaʻshuaʻ
H8191 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pleasurable experience or object of delight; something that causes enjoyment or is the source of delight, especially as a cherished or favored thing. Used concretely of what is found pleasing, delightful, or enjoyable, and abstractly of the concept of pleasure or delight itself. The term can function both as a singular or collective: 'delight,' 'source of delight,' or 'delights.' In some contexts, refers specifically to objects, activities, or persons that evoke aesthetic or personal pleasure.
Semantic Range
delight, pleasure, source of enjoyment, object of delight, cherished object, delights
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁעַע meaning 'to delight oneself,' 'to take pleasure,' or 'to be fond of.' The word שַׁעְשֻׁעַ is a noun derived from a reduplicated intensive pattern expressing the idea of something highly pleasurable or especially cherished. The root itself signifies experience of joy or enjoyment, but the noun form points to that which is the object or embodiment of such delight.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁעְשֻׁעַ appears in poetic and wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, such as Psalms and Proverbs, typically denoting that which brings pleasure or joy. Its usage often conveys a sophisticated, sometimes cultivated, sense of what is cherished or aesthetically pleasing, exceeding mere physical or hedonistic pleasure. In post-biblical and modern Hebrew, the word developed to denote 'amusement' or 'toy' as well, reflecting a semantic shift toward tangible sources of entertainment. This nuance is not present in biblical usage, which is more abstract. The term is distinct from related words such as חֵפֶץ (pleasure, desire) and מַעֲדַנִּים (delicacies, luxurious things), as שַׁעְשֻׁעַ focuses on the experiential, sometimes emotional dimension—what is cherished or savored rather than simply consumed. Later translations occasionally render it as 'delights' or 'pleasures,' but English translation often narrows the concept, missing the sense of deep affection or treasuring implied by the Hebrew. The term does not carry ethical or religious connotations by itself.
Translation Consistency
"Delight" best captures the typical range of שַׁעְשֻׁעַ as a pleasurable thing or experience—both concrete objects and the abstract sense of pleasure. It matches the common English renderings (delights, delight) and is the most natural, versatile single-word base for consistent inflection across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁעַע; enjoyment; delight, pleasure.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
שעע (shaʻshuaʻ) — to delight, to seek pleasure, to enjoy
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8191-01 |
שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֗/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my delight | my cherished delights | my cherished delights | 5 |
H8191-03 |
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים | shaashuim | HNcmpa |
delightful | cherished delights | delights | 2 |
H8191-02 |
שַׁעֲשׁוּעָ֑י/ו | shaashuayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his delight | his cherished delights | his cherished delight | 1 |
H8191-04 |
וְ֝/שַׁעֲשֻׁעַ֗/י | veshaashuay | HC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
and my delights | and my cherished delights | and my delights | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8191-02 |
Isaiah 5:7 | שַׁעֲשׁוּעָ֑י/ו | shaashuayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his delight | his cherished delights | his cherished delight |
H8191-03 |
Jeremiah 31:20 | שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים | shaashuim | HNcmpa |
delightful | cherished delights | delights |
H8191-01 |
Psalms 119:24 | שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֗/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my delight | my cherished delights | my cherished delights |
H8191-01 |
Psalms 119:77 | שַֽׁעֲשֻׁעָֽ/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my delight | my cherished delights | my cherished delights |
H8191-01 |
Psalms 119:92 | שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֑/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my delights | my cherished delights | my cherished delights |
H8191-01 |
Psalms 119:143 | שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽ/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my-delights | my cherished delights | my cherished delights |
H8191-01 |
Psalms 119:174 | שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽ/י | shaashuay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
is my delight | my cherished delights | my cherished delights |
H8191-03 |
Proverbs 8:30 | שַׁ֭עֲשֻׁעִים | shaashuim | HNcmpa |
delights | cherished delights | delights |
H8191-04 |
Proverbs 8:31 | וְ֝/שַׁעֲשֻׁעַ֗/י | veshaashuay | HC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
and my delights | and my cherished delights | and my delights |