סְנָאָה (se.na.ah)
se.na.ah
Senaah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Sənāʾâ, meaning "thorny," appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal identifier for ancestors within post-exilic Jewish families. It is not used to describe a landscape or a plant, but rather functions as a proper noun marking lineage. The word occurs only four times in Scripture, appearing primarily in the lists of returnees found in Ezra and Nehemiah, with one mention in Chronicles.
Linguistic analysis suggests the name may carry a social nuance, potentially referring to the "sons of a hated or rejected woman." This interpretation points to the poorer classes of Jerusalem who returned from Babylonian exile. The sources indicate that this individual is distinct from his Levite descendant, Hassenuah (H5574), though the names are phonetically similar and sometimes conflated in textual traditions.
In Nehemiah 3:3, the name appears with the definite article as "Hassenaah," linking it to a specific family group responsible for rebuilding sections of Jerusalem’s walls. This usage highlights how personal identities were preserved in genealogical records during the restoration period. The etymology reflects a reality of social marginalization, yet the inclusion of this name in sacred texts affirms the place of these families in the community’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sənāʾâ appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal identifier for ancestors within post-exilic Jewish families. It is not used to describe a landscape or a plant, but rather functions as a proper noun marking lineage. The word occurs only four times in Scripture, appearing primarily in the lists of returnees found in Ezra and Nehemiah, with one mention in Chronicles.
Linguistic analysis suggests the name may carry a social nuance, potentially referring to the 'sons of a hated or rejected woman.' This interpretation points to the poorer classes of Jerusalem who returned from Babylonian exile. The sources indicate that this individual is distinct from his Levite descendant, Hassenuah (H5574), though the names are phonetically similar and sometimes conflated in textual traditions.
In Nehemiah 3:3, the name appears with the definite article as 'Hassenaah,' linking it to a specific family group responsible for rebuilding sections of Jerusalem’s walls. This usage highlights how personal identities were preserved in genealogical records during the restoration period. The etymology reflects a reality of social marginalization, yet the inclusion of this name in sacred texts affirms the place of these families in the community’s history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Senaah2×
- <the>/ Senaah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סְנָאָ֔ה2×
- הַ/סְּנֻאָֽה\׃1×
- הַ/סְּנָאָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:35
The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.
This verse records the specific number of returnees from the Senaah family, showing their significant presence in the post-exilic community.
-
Nehemiah 3:3
The sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
Here the Senaah descendants are actively engaged in rebuilding the Fish Gate, demonstrating their practical contribution to Jerusalem's restoration.
-
I Chronicles 9:7
Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah;
This genealogical entry connects the name Hassenuah to the tribe of Benjamin, preserving the lineage for future generations.