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יָשָׁן

𐤉𐤔𐤍

Hayeshanah

H3465 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ישן to be old, become aged, sleep (distinct sense)

Definition

Adjective describing something as old, aged, or longstanding, especially in contrast to something new or recent. יָשָׁן can refer to objects, structures, or products that have existed for an extended period and may carry connotations of tradition, permanence, or routine usage. In certain contexts, it emphasizes the contrast between old and new items (such as crops or possessions).

Semantic Range

old (objects or produce), aged, longstanding, stored or previous year's yield, traditional, timeworn, ancient

Root / Etymology

From the root ישן (y-š-n), meaning 'to be old' or 'to sleep.' As a derived adjective, יָשָׁן specifically comes from the stative root sense 'to be old,' rather than the related verb 'to sleep' (which shares the same consonantal root but is a distinct semantic branch).

Historical & Contextual Notes

The adjective יָשָׁן appears in various periods of biblical Hebrew, most notably in legal, ritual, and poetic contexts. In Leviticus (e.g., Lev 26:10), it refers to old produce, particularly agricultural surplus that has been stored from previous years, contrasting with the new harvest. The term also appears in references to old garments, wine, or ruins, sometimes conveying value (as in tradition), but sometimes indicating obsolescence. Related terms include חָדָשׁ (ḥādāsh, 'new'), which is often paired in binary contrasts (old/new) to highlight either the ongoing value or redundancy of what is old. English translations often render יָשָׁן as 'old,' but this may not always capture its nuanced association with duration, established status, or the context-specific contrast with novelty. In post-biblical Hebrew and later usage (including Modern Hebrew), יָשָׁן continues to denote 'old' as opposed to 'new.' The semantic distinction from the verb 'to sleep' (ישֵׁן) is maintained by context and grammatical form.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָשֵׁן; old; old.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ישן (y-š-n) — to be old, become aged

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3462 יָשֵׁן I sleep
H3463 יָשֵׁן like a sleeping one
H3464 יָשֵׁן sleeping one
H3466 יְשָׁנָה the Ancient-place
H8142 שֵׁנָה from their sleep

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3465-03 יָשָׁ֑ן yashan HAamsa old old 3
H3465-01 הַ/יְשָׁנָ֑ה hayeshanah HTd/Aafsa the-old the aged one 2
H3465-02 וְ/יָשָׁ֕ן veyashan HC/Aamsa and the old and aged 1
H3465-04 יְשָׁנִ֑ים yeshanim HAampa old old ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3465-03 Leviticus 25:22 יָשָׁ֑ן yashan HAamsa old old
H3465-03 Leviticus 25:22 יָשָֽׁן yashan-2 HAamsa old old
H3465-03 Leviticus 26:10 יָשָׁ֖ן yashan HAamsa old old
H3465-02 Leviticus 26:10 וְ/יָשָׁ֕ן veyashan HC/Aamsa and the old and aged
H3465-01 Isaiah 22:11 הַ/יְשָׁנָ֑ה hayeshanah HTd/Aafsa the-old the aged one
H3465-04 Song of Songs 7:14 יְשָׁנִ֑ים yeshanim HAampa old old ones
H3465-01 Nehemiah 3:6 הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה hayeshanah HNp the Old the aged one
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