שָׁנָא
𐤔𐤍𐤀
shânâʼ
H8132 verb
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
שׁנה (mishneh) — to repeat, do again
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4932 | מִשְׁנֶה | in the second |
| H8133 | שְׁנָא | he changed himself |
| H8140 | שְׁנָה | in year-of |
| H8145 | שֵׁנִי | in the second |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8132-01 |
וְ/שִׁנָּ֕א | veshina | HC/Vpq3ms |
and changed | and he altered | and he changed | 1 |
H8132-02 |
יְשֻׁנֶּֽא | yeshune | HVPi3ms |
is changed | he will be altered | will be changed | 1 |
H8132-03 |
יִשְׁנֶ֖א | yishene | HVqi3ms |
has changed | he will change | has changed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8132-01 |
2 Kings 25:29 | וְ/שִׁנָּ֕א | veshina | HC/Vpq3ms |
and changed | and he altered | and he changed |
H8132-03 |
Lamentations 4:1 | יִשְׁנֶ֖א | yishene | HVqi3ms |
has changed | he will change | has changed |
H8132-02 |
Ecclesiastes 8:1 | יְשֻׁנֶּֽא | yeshune | HVPi3ms |
is changed | he will be altered | will be changed |