שַׁי (shay)
shay
gift
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shay refers to a gift or present, specifically one offered as an act of homage. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 39:1, where King Hezekiah displays his treasures to Babylonian envoys. In this context, the word describes the material items presented to honor or impress a foreign visitor.
Unlike terms that might imply a casual exchange or a charitable handout, shay carries the weight of diplomatic tribute. It suggests a formal presentation meant to acknowledge status or secure favor. The single occurrence highlights how such gifts functioned in ancient international relations, serving as tangible symbols of wealth and political standing rather than simple acts of generosity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shay appears only once in Scripture, found in Isaiah 39:1. It describes the gifts King Hezekiah showed to envoys from Babylon. This was not a casual exchange but a formal display of wealth and political standing. The king used these items to honor his guests and secure favor with a powerful foreign nation.
For your faith, this rare word reminds us that our resources can become idols when we trust in them for security rather than in God. Hezekiah’s actions seemed like a simple act of hospitality, yet they revealed a heart that valued human approval over divine protection. We are invited to examine what we display and why.
True generosity flows from trust in God’s provision, not from a need to impress others. When we give freely without keeping score or seeking status, our gifts reflect the character of Christ. Let your giving be an act of worship, not a tool for influence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a gift1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁ֜י1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 18:7
In that time, a present will be brought to Yahweh of Armies from a people tall and smooth, even from a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that measures out and treads down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of Yahweh of Armies, Mount Zion.
This verse uses a related term for 'present' brought to Mount Zion, showing how gifts functioned as acts of homage to God's name in contrast to Hezekiah's political display.