← H8132 H8134 →

שְׁנָא

𐤔𐤍𐤀

shᵉnâʼ

H8133 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׁנה to change, to alter, to make different

Definition

To change or alter; to become different or cause to be different. In Aramaic usage, the verb is employed in various forms to indicate a modification, transformation, or exchange—whether of conditions, appearances, individuals, or circumstances. It can refer both to physical and non-physical alteration.

Semantic Range

to change, to alter, to become different, to be altered, to make diverse, to exchange one thing for another

Root / Etymology

Aramaic verbal form derived from the root שׁנה, whose primary sense in its Hebrew cognate is 'to repeat, to do again, to change'. In Aramaic, the semantic development leans toward 'to make different or modify'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, especially in Daniel and Ezra, שְׁנָא is used to denote literal or figurative change, as in changing a decree (Daniel 6:16 [ET 6:15]) or conditions. Unlike the Hebrew root שׁנה, which often bears the core meaning 'to repeat', the Aramaic form focuses primarily on alteration or modification. The verb may be used in both transitive and intransitive constructions. Greek translation traditions often render this word with verbs meaning 'to change' (e.g., μεταβάλλω). Later English translations sometimes use 'diverse,' reflecting older English usage, but 'change' and 'alter' more accurately capture the primary lexical sense. The verb is not associated with ritual or cultic change, nor does it inherently carry positive or negative connotations; context determines the evaluative sense. Its usage reflects administrative and bureaucratic contexts common in imperial Aramaic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁנָא; {to alter}; alter, change, (be) diverse.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שׁנה (sh-n-h) — to change, to alter, to make different

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4932 מִשְׁנֶה second, duplicate
H8145 שֵׁנִי the second (feminine)

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8133-02 לְ/הַשְׁנָיָ֛ה lehashenayah AR/Vhc to change to cause to change 4
H8133-12 תִשְׁנֵ֥א tishene AVqi3fs be-changed she will change 2
H8133-05 שָׁנַ֣יִן shanayin AVqrmpa was-changed changing ones 1
H8133-03 מְהַשְׁנֵ֤א mehashene AVhrmsa changes one who causes change 1
H8133-04 מְשַׁנְּיָ֗ה meshaneyah AVpsfsa was diverse made-different one 1
H8133-16 יִשְׁתַּנֵּ֑א yishetane AVMi3ms changes he will change himself 1
H8133-15 יִשְׁנֵא֙ yishene AVqi3ms will-be-different he will change 1
H8133-01 אֶשְׁתַּנִּ֔י eshetani AVPp3ms was changed he changed himself 1
H8133-10 שְׁנ֔וֹ/הִי shenohi AVqp3mp/Sp3ms changed they altered him 1
H8133-17 יִשְׁתַּנּֽוֹ yishetano AVMi3mp let change they will change themselves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8133-16 Daniel 2:9 יִשְׁתַּנֵּ֑א yishetane AVMi3ms changes he will change himself
H8133-03 Daniel 2:21 מְהַשְׁנֵ֤א mehashene AVhrmsa changes one who causes change
H8133-11 Daniel 3:19 אשתנו shtnv AVPp3ms was changed he altered himself
H8133-01 Daniel 3:19 אֶשְׁתַּנִּ֔י eshetani AVPp3ms was changed he changed himself
H8133-09 Daniel 3:27 שְׁנ֑וֹ sheno AVqp3mp was changed they altered
H8133-08 Daniel 3:28 שַׁנִּ֔יו shaniv AVpp3mp changed they altered
H8133-14 Daniel 4:13 יְשַׁנּ֔וֹן yeshanon AVpi3mp they will change they will alter
H8133-10 Daniel 5:6 שְׁנ֔וֹ/הִי shenohi AVqp3mp/Sp3ms changed they altered him
H8133-05 Daniel 5:9 שָׁנַ֣יִן shanayin AVqrmpa was-changed changing ones
H8133-17 Daniel 5:10 יִשְׁתַּנּֽוֹ yishetano AVMi3mp let change they will change themselves
← H8132 Hebrew Lexicon H8134 →