שָׁנָא (H8132) — Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁנָא

𐤔𐤍𐤀

shânâʼ

H8132 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׁנה to change, to alter, to do differently

Definition

To change, alter, or make different; in the Hebrew Bible, most often to cause something to become different in nature, appearance, or condition, or to act in a manner different from before. Uses include both physical (such as changing clothing or countenance) and less tangible changes (such as altering behavior or outcome).

Semantic Range

to change; to alter the form, nature, or condition of something; to modify or amend (e.g., a decree); to change one’s behavior or appearance; to substitute, to turn something into something else

Root / Etymology

Root is שׁנה (shin-nun-aleph), generally meaning 'to change, repeat, do differently.' The form שָׁנָא as a verb likely represents an intensified or purposeful action relating to change or alteration.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁנָא occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is mainly found in texts such as Daniel and Ezra, reflecting later biblical Hebrew usage and likely Aramaic influence (cf. Aramaic שְׁנָא). Its primary sense is to change or alter, especially in official or legal contexts (e.g., changing an edict or document). Earlier biblical Hebrew more commonly uses related forms (such as שָׁנָה, H8138), often with the nuance of 'to repeat' or 'to do again,' whereas שָׁנָא focuses solely on alteration or modification. English translations often render the term as 'change' or 'alter,' which generally captures the sense but can miss some of the official or formal nuance present in late biblical or Aramaic contexts. In Daniel and Ezra, usage often pertains to the changing of royal commands, decrees, or public edicts, highlighting its bureaucratic or administrative connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to alter; change.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שנה (š-n-h) — to change, to alter, to do differently

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H4932	מִשְׁנֶה	in the second
H8133	שְׁנָא	to cause to change
H8136	שִׁנְאָן	repeated multitude
H8138	שָׁנָה	I will alter
H8139	שְׁנָה	and his sleep
H8140	שְׁנָה	in year-of
H8141	שָׁנֶה	in the year
H8142	שֵׁנָה	year of
H8144	שָׁנִי	year-cycles
H8145	שֵׁנִי	in the second
H8147	שְׁנַיִם	in two
H8153	שְׁנָת	year-of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H8132-02`	יְשֻׁנֶּֽא	yeshune	`HVPi3ms`	is changed	he will be altered	1
`H8132-01`	וְ/שִׁנָּ֕א	veshina	`HC/Vpq3ms`	and changed	and he altered	1
`H8132-03`	יִשְׁנֶ֖א	yishene	`HVqi3ms`	has changed	he will change	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H8132-01`	2 Kings 25:29	וְ/שִׁנָּ֕א	veshina	`HC/Vpq3ms`	and changed	and he altered
`H8132-03`	Lamentations 4:1	יִשְׁנֶ֖א	yishene	`HVqi3ms`	has changed	he will change
`H8132-02`	Ecclesiastes 8:1	יְשֻׁנֶּֽא	yeshune	`HVPi3ms`	is changed	he will be altered

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