שִׁישָׁא
𐤔𐤉𐤔𐤀
Shisha
H7894 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shisha (Shîyshâʼ) is a personal name referring to an individual in the monarchy period, specifically noted as a royal secretary during the reigns of Solomon. The underlying sense of the name may relate to 'marble' or 'whiteness,' reflecting the root meaning, but its function in the text is strictly as a proper name.
Semantic Range
personal name (Shisha), potentially derived from 'marble' or 'whiteness'; does not function as a common noun in this form
Root / Etymology
From the root שַׁיִשׁ (shayish) meaning 'marble' or 'white stone,' with the addition of a theophoric or nominal element, but the precise personal name formation is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Shisha appears in the books of 1 Kings and is mentioned as a scribe in service to Solomon. The name is thought related to שַׁיִשׁ (marble) due to phonetic similarity; however, there is no evidence the name retained a direct literal meaning of 'whiteness' for Hebrew speakers in a personal naming context. The use as a personal name is distinct from the common noun, and it is possible that the original sense of 'whiteness' or 'marble' became secondary or opaque over time. English translations often simply transliterate the name, sometimes presenting variants (e.g., Shavsha, Sheva) in parallel lists of royal officials, reflecting textual ambiguities or transmission differences. The name is Israelite in the context of the United Monarchy and does not occur as a general term outside the personal name context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as שַׁיִשׁ; whiteness; Shisha, an Israelite; Shisha.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שישׁ (sh-y-sh) — to be white, marble, whiteness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7894-01 |
שִׁישָׁ֖א | shisha | HNp |
Shisha | Shisha | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7894-01 |
1 Kings 4:3 | שִׁישָׁ֖א | shisha | HNp |
Shisha | Shisha |