שָׁיָה

𐤔𐤉𐤄

shâyâh

H7876 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שיה to forget, neglect, become unmindful

Definition

To forget, to be or become oblivious to, to lose awareness or memory of something, often with the nuance of neglect or disregard. In context, particularly in Deuteronomy 32:18, it describes the act of failing to call to mind or remember, especially in relation to a prior relationship or significant act.

Semantic Range

to forget, be oblivious to, neglect, lose memory of, be unmindful

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁיָה (sh-y-h). The root's core meaning involves forgetting, neglecting, or becoming unmindful. The root is rare, and some suggest it may be an archaic or dialectal variant for the more common שָׁכַח (sh-kh-ch), which also means 'to forget.' The formation of the verb is primitive, and further etymological connections are debated; some lexica classify it as a late or poetic variant. Etymology uncertain beyond internal Hebrew usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁיָה is an extremely rare verb in biblical Hebrew, attested primarily in Deuteronomy 32:18. It stands parallel to and is often considered a synonym or variant of the much more common verb שָׁכַח (to forget). The usage in Deuteronomy is poetic, and the context emphasizes neglect of past acts of divine beneficence. English translations rarely distinguish nuances between שָׁיָה and שָׁכַח, though שָׁיָה may carry a stronger overtone of disregard or deliberate neglect. Later biblical Hebrew and post-biblical sources do not perpetuate the term, suggesting it is either archaic or confined to poetic diction. The rendered meaning 'to keep in memory' is not supported elsewhere and seems to reflect an attempt to supply an active counterpart to 'forget.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to keep in memory; be unmindful. (Render Deuteronomy 32:18, 'A Rock bore thee, thou must recollect; and (yet) thou hast forgotten,' etc.)

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שיה (sh-y-h) — to forget, neglect, become unmindful

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7876-01 תֶּ֑שִׁי teshi HVqi2ms you were unmindful you forget 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7876-01 Deuteronomy 32:18 תֶּ֑שִׁי teshi HVqi2ms you were unmindful you forget