שֶׁכֶן
𐤔𐤊𐤍
sheken
H7933 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Dwelling place or residence, typically referring to a settled, permanent abode as opposed to a temporary encampment or tent. Often used of fixed habitations, whether for individuals, households, or occasionally animals.
Semantic Range
residence, dwelling place, abode (permanent); sometimes habitation of animals; contrast with temporary shelter or tents
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁכַן meaning 'to settle, to dwell, to inhabit.' The noun שֶׁכֶן directly derives from this root and carries the implication of a settled, established place of dwelling, as opposed to transitory or nomadic shelter.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׁכֶן appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Psalms 68:13), primarily signifying a permanent or established dwelling, potentially in contrast to the more common terms like מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan, meaning 'tabernacle' or 'dwelling,' but often for sacred or temporary dwellings) or בַּיִת (bayit, 'house'). Its nuance emphasizes settlement and permanence, and can refer to the residence of individuals, families, or creatures such as doves (Ps 68:13). Later biblical and post-biblical usage preserves this essential meaning, though the distinction between secular dwelling (שֶׁכֶן) and sanctuary dwelling (מִשְׁכָּן) grew sharper. English translations often render שֶׁכֶן simply as 'habitation' or 'residence,' but these can obscure the contrast with other Hebrew terms for places of dwelling.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁכַן; a residence; habitation.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שכן (sh-k-n) — to settle, to dwell, to inhabit
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4907 | מִשְׁכַּן | his dwelling-place |
| H4908 | מִשְׁכָּן | the dwelling-place |
| H7931 | שָׁכַן | in dwelling |
| H7932 | שְׁכַן | he caused to dwell |
| H7934 | שָׁכֵן | the resident women |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7933-01 |
לְ/שִׁכְנ֥/וֹ | leshikheno | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
for his dwelling | to his dwelling-place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7933-01 |
Deuteronomy 12:5 | לְ/שִׁכְנ֥/וֹ | leshikheno | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
for his dwelling | to his dwelling-place |