שִׁנְאָן
𐤔𐤍𐤀𐤍
shinʼân
H8136 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shin'an likely refers to a multiple or multitude, especially in the sense of repetition or doubling, as in 'a repeated number' or 'many times.' In Psalm 68:17, it is used to denote 'thousands repeatedly' or 'thousands upon thousands.' In translation tradition (notably LXX and some ancient commentaries), shin'an has sometimes been understood as a reference to angelic beings, but the core lexical sense pertains to multiplicity or recurrence, rather than identifying a specific class of beings.
Semantic Range
repetition, multiplicity, multitude, 'thousands repeatedly', 'myriads', poetic intensification
Root / Etymology
Root: שׁנה (שׁ-נ-ה). The verb שָׁנָה (shanah) primarily means 'to repeat, do again, change.' The nominal form שִׁנְאָן is rare and derived in a way that indicates plurality or repetition, possibly a dual or intensive plural form. The precise morphological derivation is somewhat uncertain, but it is likely related to the idea of repetition or multiplication from the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שִׁנְאָן appears only in Psalm 68:17, describing the chariots of God: 'the chariots of God are twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands [שִׁנְאָן].' Historically, this term was interpreted as a poetic plural emphasizing vast numbers. In later interpretation (rabbinic and Christian), it was associated with angels due to the context and poetic parallelism, but in terms of formal Hebrew lexicography, the word itself does not inherently mean 'angel'; rather, it refers to multiplicity, vast multitudes, or repeated units. The Septuagint rendered it with terms for 'thousands of those rejoicing,' connecting with the festive or exalted context. English versions sometimes obscure the nuance by rendering it simply as 'thousands of angels' or 'innumerable angels' due to interpretive tradition. The precise lexical meaning is best understood as 'thousands repeatedly,' 'thousands multiplied,' or 'myriads,' indicating an overwhelming multitude rather than a specific entity such as angels.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁנָא; change, i.e. repetition; [idiom] angels.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שנה (sh-n-h) — repeat, do again, change
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4932 | מִשְׁנֶה | in the second |
| H8132 | שָׁנָא | and he altered |
| H8133 | שְׁנָא | to cause to change |
| H8138 | שָׁנָה | I will alter |
| H8139 | שְׁנָה | and his sleep |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8136-01 |
שִׁנְאָ֑ן | shinean | HNcmsa |
thousands | repeated multitude | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8136-01 |
Psalms 68:18 | שִׁנְאָ֑ן | shinean | HNcmsa |
thousands | repeated multitude |