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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

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

Root Family

שנה (shinʼân) — to repeat, do again, change

Root שנה to repeat, to change, to do again
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8136 שִׁנְאָן repeated multitude
H8139 שְׁנָה and his sleep
H8141 שָׁנֶה in the year
H8147 שְׁנַיִם in two

Word Forms

21 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8138-11 שׁוֹנִ֑ים shonim HVqrmpa different those who change different 2
H8138-01 אֲשַׁנֶּֽה ashaneh HVpi1cs will I change I will alter I will change 1
H8138-02 בְּ/שַׁנּוֹת֣/וֹ beshanoto HR/Vpc/Sp3ms when he changed in his altering in his altering 1
H8138-03 אֶשְׁנֶ֖ה esheneh HVqi1cs strike...twice I will repeat I will strike a second time 1
H8138-04 הִשָּׁנ֧וֹת hishanot HVNc the repeating to be repeated the repeating 1
H8138-05 לְ/שַׁנּ֣וֹת leshanot HR/Vpc to change to alter to change 1
H8138-06 מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה meshaneh HVprmsa you change one who alters one who changes 1
H8138-07 שָׁ֥נָה shanah HVqp3ms did he repeat year-cycle did he repeat 1
H8138-08 שָׁנִ֑יתִי shaniti HVqp1cs change I repeated I changed 1
H8138-09 שְׁנוּ֙ shenu HVqv2mp Do it a second time Repeat! Repeat 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8138-04 Genesis 41:32 הִשָּׁנ֧וֹת hishanot HVNc the repeating to be repeated the repeating
H8138-15 1 Samuel 21:14 וַ/יְשַׁנּ֤/וֹ vayeshano HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms and they changed it and he altered him and he altered his behavior
H8138-03 1 Samuel 26:8 אֶשְׁנֶ֖ה esheneh HVqi1cs strike...twice I will repeat I will strike a second time
H8138-07 2 Samuel 20:10 שָׁ֥נָה shanah HVqp3ms did he repeat year-cycle did he repeat
H8138-17 1 Kings 14:2 וְ/הִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית vehishetanit HC/Vtp2fs and disguise yourself and you changed yourself and disguise yourself
H8138-09 1 Kings 18:34 שְׁנוּ֙ shenu HVqv2mp Do it a second time Repeat! Repeat
H8138-16 1 Kings 18:34 וַ/יִּשְׁנ֔וּ vayishenu HC/Vqw3mp and they did it a second time and they repeated and they repeated
H8138-05 Jeremiah 2:36 לְ/שַׁנּ֣וֹת leshanot HR/Vpc to change to alter to change
H8138-18 Jeremiah 52:33 וְ/שִׁנָּ֕ה veshinah HC/Vpq3ms and changed and he altered and he changed
H8138-08 Malachi 3:6 שָׁנִ֑יתִי shaniti HVqp1cs change I repeated I changed
H8138-02 Psalms 34:1 בְּ/שַׁנּוֹת֣/וֹ beshanoto HR/Vpc/Sp3ms when he changed in his altering in his altering
H8138-01 Psalms 89:35 אֲשַׁנֶּֽה ashaneh HVpi1cs will I change I will alter I will change
H8138-19 Proverbs 17:9 וְ/שֹׁנֶ֥ה veshoneh HC/Vqrmsa but he who repeats and one who repeats but one who repeats
H8138-11 Proverbs 24:21 שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים shonim HVqrmpa those given to change those who change those who change
H8138-10 Proverbs 26:11 שׁוֹנֶ֥ה shoneh HVqrmsa repeats one who repeats who repeats
H8138-20 Proverbs 31:5 וִֽ֝/ישַׁנֶּה vishaneh HC/Vpi3ms and pervert and he intensifies the change and perverts
H8138-06 Job 14:20 מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה meshaneh HVprmsa you change one who alters one who changes
H8138-21 Job 29:22 יִשְׁנ֑וּ yishenu HVqi3mp they repeated they repeat they repeat
H8138-11 Esther 1:7 שׁוֹנִ֑ים shonim HVqrmpa different those who change different
H8138-14 Esther 2:9 וַ/יְשַׁנֶּ֧/הָ vayeshaneha HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3fs and he transferred her and he altered her and he transferred her
H8138-12 Esther 3:8 שֹׁנ֣וֹת shonot HVqrfpa are different changing ones are different
H8138-13 Nehemiah 13:21 תִּשְׁנ֕וּ tishenu HVqi2mp you do again you repeat you do again
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