שֶׁמֶשׁ
𐤔𐤌𐤔
shemesh
H8122 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primary lexical meaning: 'the sun'—the celestial body visible during the day that is the source of light and warmth. The term also serves in some contexts as a poetic or symbolic reference: an emblem of radiance, justice, or regularity; or as a component in personal or place names.
Semantic Range
the sun (literal celestial body); symbol of radiance and constancy; poetic/idiomatic references to light, glory, or endurance; element in personal or place names
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁמש (sh-m-sh), which broadly conveys 'to serve' or 'to minister.' Lexically, שֶׁמֶשׁ functions as the standard Ancient Hebrew designation for the sun; its particular derivation as 'sun' from a verb meaning 'to serve' is debated, but may reflect the conceptualization of the sun as a tireless servant of the world.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׁמֶשׁ is the predominant Hebrew term for the sun throughout the Hebrew Bible, found from early texts (Genesis, Exodus) through post-exilic writings. It is occasionally personified or spoken of with masculine or feminine agreement (the grammatical gender in Biblical Hebrew varies across periods and dialects, and sometimes even within the same passage). The sun was central both to daily life and, in nearby cultures, to worship—yet the Hebrew Bible strongly prohibits Israelite worship of the sun, viewing it as a created entity under YHWH's sovereignty (Deut 4:19; 2 Kings 23:5, 11), contrasting with widespread ancient Near Eastern solar cults. Symbolically, the sun often represents enduring regularity (e.g., Psalm 19:5-6; Ecclesiastes), or is invoked in oath formulas ('as surely as the sun rises'). In personal and place names, the element שֶׁמֶשׁ may refer directly to the sun or indicate an association with brilliance (e.g., Beth-shemesh). The standard English translation 'sun' captures the lexical sense, though rarely does it convey the range of poetic and symbolic nuance found in ancient usage. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages (Ugaritic šms, Akkadian šamaš). Unlike the later English term 'son,' שֶׁמֶשׁ is exclusively astronomical and distinct from words for descendant or offspring.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to שֶׁמֶשׁ; the sun; sun.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁמש (sh-m-sh) — to serve, to minister
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8122-01 |
שִׁמְשָׁ֔/א | shimesha | ANcbsd/Td |
the sun | the sun | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8122-01 |
Daniel 6:15 | שִׁמְשָׁ֔/א | shimesha | ANcbsd/Td |
the sun | the sun |