שֶׁבְנָא
𐤔𐤁𐤍𐤀
Shevena
H7644 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shebnâʼ: A proper name referring to an individual known primarily as a royal steward or high official in the monarchic period of Jerusalem. The word itself functions as a personal name, not a common noun, with no independent lexical usage outside of its role as a name. In biblical references, Shebnâʼ is identified among the senior court officials, notably under King Hezekiah. There is no evidence for a substantive meaning apart from its use as a proper name. The proposed meaning 'growth' is speculative and not lexically supported beyond traditional etymology.
Semantic Range
a personal name, specifically the royal steward or high official Shebnâʼ during the reign of Hezekiah; no common noun usage
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The form שֶׁבְנָא (Shebnâʼ) does not occur outside personal names, and its connection to an unused root *שׁ־ב־נ meaning 'to grow' is hypothetical and not attested anywhere in biblical Hebrew. The construction of the name appears consonant with other biblical personal names often ending in -ָא (-āʾ), but its precise derivation remains unknown. Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Shebnâʼ is a distinct personal name borne by a palace official during the reign of Hezekiah. The narrative presents Shebnâʼ as a major administrative figure, sometimes titled 'he who is over the house,' a role equivalent to high steward or palace administrator. In Isaiah 22, Shebnâʼ is described as being displaced from his position due to pride or improper conduct. The name is not found as a common noun and does not occur after the monarchic period. English translations historically render the name as 'Shebna' or 'Shebnah,' following the Hebrew closely. Later Jewish and Christian traditions do not associate the name with broader meanings or titles. This entry avoids theological interpretation and reflects only the historical-literary function of the name as attested in biblical sources, with no reliable evidence for the speculative etymological meaning 'growth.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or שֶׁבְנָה; from an unused root meaning to grow; growth; Shebna or Shebnah, an Israelite; Shebna, Shebnah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁ־ב־נ (uncertain) (š-b-n (uncertain)) — uncertain; traditionally suggested growth (unattested)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7644-02 |
וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א | veshevena | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ | 5 |
H7644-03 |
וְ/שֶׁבְנָה֙ | veshevenah | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ | 2 |
H7644-01 |
שֶׁבְנָ֖א | shevena | HNp |
Shebna | Shebnâʼ | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7644-03 |
2 Kings 18:18 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָה֙ | veshevenah | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-03 |
2 Kings 18:26 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨ה | veshevenah | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-02 |
2 Kings 18:37 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א | veshevena | HC/Np |
and-Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-02 |
2 Kings 19:2 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֣א | veshevena | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-01 |
Isaiah 22:15 | שֶׁבְנָ֖א | shevena | HNp |
Shebna | Shebnâʼ |
H7644-02 |
Isaiah 36:3 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָא֙ | veshevena | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-02 |
Isaiah 36:11 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א | veshevena | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-02 |
Isaiah 36:22 | וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א | veshevena | HC/Np |
and Shebna | and Shebnâʼ |
H7644-01 |
Isaiah 37:2 | שֶׁבְנָ֣א | shevena | HNp |
Shebna | Shebnâʼ |