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שִׁלֵּשׁ

𐤔𐤋𐤔

shillêsh

H8029 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שלש three, to be three, to make threefold

Definition

A member of the third generation in a successive lineage, especially used to denote a great-grandchild or a descendant in the third degree directly down the line from a given ancestor. The term is primarily genealogical, describing one's relationship to a forebear, and is used with reference to generational sequence in family lines or tribal divisions, specifically the third in line after a starting ancestor.

Semantic Range

third (in order), third generation descendant, great-grandchild, an individual of the third remove from an ancestor, third in sequence (genealogical or structural)

Root / Etymology

Root: שלש (ש-ל-ש), whose core meaning is 'three.' The form שִׁלֵּשׁ ('shillēsh') is a denominative verb form but used substantively or as a participial form to indicate an individual or descendant at the third remove/generation. Derives from the numeric root 'to be three' or 'to make threefold.' This nominal usage reflects a focus on generational order rather than action or process.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שִׁלֵּשׁ appears in genealogical lists or contexts discussing descent, describing an individual three generations removed from an ancestor, typically a great-grandchild or equivalent degree of descent (cf. Exodus 20:5; 34:7; Deuteronomy 5:9, where the term is used in the context of generational consequences or blessings). In biblical Hebrew, this is distinct from terms denoting grandchildren (בן נין 'ben nin') and denotes specifically the third in descent. English translations typically render as 'third generation,' which may obscure the precise genealogical role intended in Hebrew. The word reflects Israelite preoccupation with ancestry, inheritance, and corporate identity across generations, and is part of the system that includes terms for successive generations (e.g. דור 'dor,' בן 'ben,' נין 'nin'). Later terms and translations (such as 'great-grandchild,' or abstract 'third generation') attempt to preserve this sense, but may lack the specificity or familial context found in the original.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁלַשׁ; a descendant of the third degree, i.e. great grandchild; third (generation).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שלש (sh-l-sh) — three, to be three, to make threefold

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7969 שָׁלוֹשׁ in the three
H7970 שְׁלוֹשִׁים in the thirty
H7991 שָׁלִישׁ in the third-rank officer
H7992 שְׁלִישִׁי in the third
H8027 שָׁלַשׁ the threefold one

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8029-01 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֑ים shileshim HNcmpa third third-generation descendants 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8029-01 Genesis 50:23 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֑ים shileshim HNcmpa the third generation third-generation descendants
H8029-01 Exodus 20:5 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים shileshim HNcmpa third third-generation descendants
H8029-01 Exodus 34:7 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים shileshim HNcmpa third third-generation descendants
H8029-01 Numbers 14:18 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֖ים shileshim HNcmpa thirds third-generation descendants
H8029-01 Deuteronomy 5:9 שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים shileshim HNcmpa third third-generation descendants
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