שֵׁשָׁן
𐤔𐤔𐤍
Sheshan
H8348 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Sheshan, a personal name designating an Israelite in genealogical records, particularly associated with the tribe of Judah. The meaning of the name is uncertain. While it is possibly related to the word "lily" (שׁוּשָׁן), there is no contextual evidence that the floral association was intended or recognized in the biblical narratives. The name functions exclusively as a proper noun and does not denote the flower itself in any biblical occurrence.
Semantic Range
personal name, Israelite male; not used for the flower 'lily'; not used as a common noun or descriptor
Root / Etymology
The etymology is uncertain. It may be related to the root שׁוּשׁ (sh-w-sh), meaning 'to be bright, to rejoice', or to שׁוּשַׁן (shushan, 'lily'), but there is no definite evidence connecting Sheshan's name to these roots. The lexical form is only attested as a personal name and not as a common noun or adjective.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Sheshan appears in genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles, particularly as a descendant of Jerahmeel from the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:31–34). The occurrence is strictly as a personal name, unique to specific individuals; there is no indication that the biblical audience would have connected the name directly to the plant "lily" or its symbolic meanings. The translation tradition sometimes renders it as a proper name without an attempt at translation. This personal name should not be conflated with later associations of the word for 'lily' (שׁוּשַׁן), including its poetic or symbolic uses elsewhere. English translations that provide the meaning 'lily' for this name are speculative and not supported by the usage context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps for שׁוּשַׁן; lily; Sheshan, an Israelite; Sheshan.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ששן (sh-sh-n) — uncertain; possibly lily, brightness, rejoicing
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8348-02 |
שֵׁשָׁ֔ן | sheshan | HNp |
Sheshan | Sheshan | 3 |
H8348-03 |
וּ/לְ/שֵׁשָׁ֛ן | ulesheshan | HC/R/Np |
and-to-Sheshan | and to Sheshan | 1 |
H8348-01 |
לְ/שֵׁשָׁ֛ן | lesheshan | HR/Np |
to-Sheshan | to Sheshan | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8348-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:31 | שֵׁשָׁ֔ן | sheshan | HNp |
Sheshan | Sheshan |
H8348-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:31 | שֵׁשָׁ֖ן | sheshan-2 | HNp |
Sheshan | Sheshan |
H8348-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:34 | לְ/שֵׁשָׁ֛ן | lesheshan | HR/Np |
to-Sheshan | to Sheshan |
H8348-03 |
1 Chronicles 2:34 | וּ/לְ/שֵׁשָׁ֛ן | ulesheshan | HC/R/Np |
and-to-Sheshan | and to Sheshan |
H8348-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:35 | שֵׁשָׁ֧ן | sheshan | HNp |
Sheshan | Sheshan |