שָׁנָה
𐤔𐤍𐤄
shânâh
H8138 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To repeat or do again, to change, to alter, particularly to do something a second time (repeat) or to modify its state (change, alter); the verb encompasses both literal repetition and figurative alteration or transformation. In certain contexts, it also connotes disguising oneself (i.e., changing appearance) or perverting a way or speech.
Semantic Range
to repeat; to do again; to change; to alter; to disguise oneself; to pervert (in context of words or way); to double; to strike or speak again; to return to an action; to make diverse
Root / Etymology
שׁנה is the root, generally meaning 'to change, repeat.' The verbal form שָׁנָה (shânâh) derives directly from this root. While the root core meaning is associated with 'doubling' or 'doing a second time,' the derived verb displays broad usage from repetition to alteration or disguise. Cognate roots with similar meanings can be found in other Semitic languages (e.g., Aramaic שׁני, 'to change').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁנָה is frequently used to express repetition (e.g., to repeat an action, speak again), alteration (to change one's words, behavior, or garments), or transformation (to become different). During the monarchic and exilic periods, it could also express disguise—changing one’s appearance or behavior to conceal identity (e.g., 1 Samuel 21:14-15). Post-exilic use maintains these ideas but may acquire metaphorical nuances (e.g., changing behavior). Related roots בּוּשׁ (bôsh, 'to be ashamed') and חָלַף (ḥālaf, 'to change, pass away') can overlap in meaning but often carry distinct emotional or temporal implications. English translations sometimes restrict שָׁנָה to 'repeat' or 'change' but may miss nuance such as transformation, mutation, or disguise, depending on the context. Certain senses (e.g., pervert, alter course) emerge from context rather than intrinsic root meaning. The term is distinct from שֶׁנִּית ('second time'), which denotes the ordinal numeric usage rather than the dynamic act of repeating or changing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive); do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time.
Bantu Hebrew
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שנה (sh-n-h) — repeat, change, do again
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4932 | מִשְׁנֶה | in the second |
| H8132 | שָׁנָא | and he altered |
| H8133 | שְׁנָא | to cause to change |
| H8136 | שִׁנְאָן | repeated multitude |
| H8139 | שְׁנָה | and his sleep |
Word Forms
21 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8138-11 |
שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים | shonim | HVqrmpa |
different | those who change | 2 |
H8138-21 |
יִשְׁנ֑וּ | yishenu | HVqi3mp |
they repeated | they repeat | 1 |
H8138-17 |
וְ/הִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית | vehishetanit | HC/Vtp2fs |
and disguise yourself | and you changed yourself | 1 |
H8138-12 |
שֹׁנ֣וֹת | shonot | HVqrfpa |
are different | changing ones | 1 |
H8138-02 |
בְּ/שַׁנּוֹת֣/וֹ | beshanoto | HR/Vpc/Sp3ms |
when he changed | in his altering | 1 |
H8138-05 |
לְ/שַׁנּ֣וֹת | leshanot | HR/Vpc |
to change | to alter | 1 |
H8138-07 |
שָׁ֥נָה | shanah | HVqp3ms |
did he repeat | year-cycle | 1 |
H8138-14 |
וַ/יְשַׁנֶּ֧/הָ | vayeshaneha | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3fs |
and he transferred her | and he altered her | 1 |
H8138-18 |
וְ/שִׁנָּ֕ה | veshinah | HC/Vpq3ms |
and changed | and he altered | 1 |
H8138-15 |
וַ/יְשַׁנּ֤/וֹ | vayeshano | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms |
and they changed it | and he altered him | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8138-04 |
Genesis 41:32 | הִשָּׁנ֧וֹת | hishanot | HVNc |
the repeating | to be repeated |
H8138-15 |
1 Samuel 21:14 | וַ/יְשַׁנּ֤/וֹ | vayeshano | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms |
and they changed it | and he altered him |
H8138-03 |
1 Samuel 26:8 | אֶשְׁנֶ֖ה | esheneh | HVqi1cs |
strike...twice | I will repeat |
H8138-07 |
2 Samuel 20:10 | שָׁ֥נָה | shanah | HVqp3ms |
did he repeat | year-cycle |
H8138-17 |
1 Kings 14:2 | וְ/הִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית | vehishetanit | HC/Vtp2fs |
and disguise yourself | and you changed yourself |
H8138-09 |
1 Kings 18:34 | שְׁנוּ֙ | shenu | HVqv2mp |
Do it a second time | Repeat! |
H8138-16 |
1 Kings 18:34 | וַ/יִּשְׁנ֔וּ | vayishenu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they did it a second time | and they repeated |
H8138-05 |
Jeremiah 2:36 | לְ/שַׁנּ֣וֹת | leshanot | HR/Vpc |
to change | to alter |
H8138-18 |
Jeremiah 52:33 | וְ/שִׁנָּ֕ה | veshinah | HC/Vpq3ms |
and changed | and he altered |
H8138-08 |
Malachi 3:6 | שָׁנִ֑יתִי | shaniti | HVqp1cs |
change | I repeated |