שָׁאָה (sha.ah)
sha.ah
to gaze
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha’ah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Genesis 24:21. In this context, it describes the action of gazing intently. The verse depicts Abraham’s servant watching Rebekah as she draws water, observing her movements with focused attention to understand who she is and what she might do.
Because this word is so rare, its meaning is defined entirely by this single narrative moment. It conveys a steady, observant look rather than a fleeting glance. The servant’s gaze is purposeful, seeking information about the woman chosen for Isaac. This usage highlights how visual attention can serve as a form of silent inquiry in biblical storytelling.
Translators typically render sha’ah as "looked" or "watched," capturing the sustained nature of the action. The rarity of the term suggests it was not a common descriptor for everyday looking, but reserved for moments where observation carries significant weight. Its solitary occurrence anchors the concept of gazing to this specific patriarchal narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha’ah appears only once in Scripture, anchoring us to a quiet moment of observation. In Genesis 24:21, Abraham’s servant watches Rebekah draw water with steady attention. He does not interrupt or demand answers immediately. Instead, he waits, letting the scene reveal what God is doing.
This kind of gazing invites us to slow down in our own lives. We often rush to conclusions or force outcomes. Yet there is value in watching patiently, seeking God’s guidance before acting. When we pause and observe, we may notice details that help us understand His direction more clearly.
May you find peace in the stillness of waiting. Let your eyes be open to the quiet movements of grace around you, trusting that God sees and provides in His perfect time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] gazing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁתָּאֵ֖ה1×
Key Verses
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Genesis 24:21
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.
The servant’s steady gaze here is not idle curiosity but a deliberate pause to discern whether God has blessed his mission.