יָשֵׁן
𐤉𐤔𐤍
yâshên
H3463 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be in a state of sleep, i.e., to become or be asleep (literally, not conscious, at rest in the normal physiological sense); the term may also refer to the condition of inactivity or unconsciousness, either temporarily (sleeping) or, in poetic/metaphoric contexts, as an image for death or extreme inactivity. In some contexts, 'to have slept' or 'become drowsy' (i.e., the onset of sleep) is indicated.
Semantic Range
to sleep, to be asleep, to become sleepy, one who is asleep, figuratively: unconscious, inattentive, (metaphorically) dead or inactive
Root / Etymology
Root: ישׁן (yšn). The root conveys the idea of being asleep or falling asleep. יָשֵׁן (yāshên) is the Qal participle or adjective (sleeping, asleep), and/or the verb form (to sleep), derived straightforwardly from the root. The root does not have broader meanings such as 'to dream' or 'to rest' in general but is specifically connected to the state of sleeping.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָשֵׁן appears in straightforward descriptive language (Genesis 2:21, referring to Adam's sleep) as well as in more figurative or poetic settings (e.g., Psalm 44:24, 'Awake! Why do you sleep, O Lord?'). Its meaning did not fundamentally shift over the biblical period, though the use of sleep as metaphor (for inattention or death) becomes more pronounced in wisdom and poetic literature. It is distinct from שָׁכַב (shakhav, 'to lie down,' often used for lying down to rest or sleep, but more generally indicating recumbency, sometimes euphemistically for sexual relations or death). Standard English translations capture the core meaning but may miss metaphorical nuances where 'sleep' references spiritual apathy or death. The participle/adjective form (יָשֵׁן, 'one sleeping, asleep') is often used to distinguish a person in the act or state of sleep as opposed to just lying down. There is no evidence for significant semantic evolution across Israelite history for this term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָשֵׁן; sleepy; asleep, (one out of) sleep(-eth, -ing), slept.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ישן (y-š-n) — to sleep, be asleep, become asleep
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3462 | יָשֵׁן | I sleep |
| H3464 | יָשֵׁן | sleeping one |
| H3465 | יָשָׁן | the aged one |
| H3466 | יְשָׁנָה | the Ancient-place |
| H8142 | שֵׁנָה | from their sleep |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3463-03 |
יָשֵׁן֙ | yashen | HAamsa |
he is sleeping | sleeping | 3 |
H3463-04 |
יְשֵׁנָ֔ה | yeshenah | HAafsa |
sleep | asleep (feminine singular) | 2 |
H3463-01 |
כְּ/יָשֵׁ֥ן | keyashen | HR/Aamsa |
as from sleep | like a sleeping one | 1 |
H3463-02 |
מִ/יְּשֵׁנֵ֥י | miyesheney | HR/Aampc |
of those who sleep | from sleeping ones of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3463-03 |
1 Samuel 26:7 | יָשֵׁן֙ | yashen | HAamsa |
sleeping | sleeping |
H3463-04 |
1 Kings 3:20 | יְשֵׁנָ֔ה | yeshenah | HAafsa |
slept | asleep (feminine singular) |
H3463-03 |
1 Kings 18:27 | יָשֵׁ֥ן | yashen | HAamsa |
he is sleeping | sleeping |
H3463-03 |
Hosea 7:6 | יָשֵׁ֣ן | yashen | HAamsa |
sleeps | sleeping |
H3463-01 |
Psalms 78:65 | כְּ/יָשֵׁ֥ן | keyashen | HR/Aamsa |
as from sleep | like a sleeping one |
H3463-04 |
Song of Songs 5:2 | יְשֵׁנָ֖ה | yeshenah | HAafsa |
sleep | asleep (feminine singular) |
H3463-02 |
Daniel 12:2 | מִ/יְּשֵׁנֵ֥י | miyesheney | HR/Aampc |
of those who sleep | from sleeping ones of |