שְׁכַנְיָהוּ (she.khan.yah)
she.khan.yah
Shecaniah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shecaniah, meaning "dweller with Jehovah," appears ten times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the historical books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Rather than referring to a single prominent figure, it identifies several distinct men from the post-exilic community who played active roles in restoring Judah’s religious and civic life.
These individuals are linked to significant moments of renewal. One Shecaniah, son of Jehiel, is noted for acknowledging his mixed marriage and supporting Ezra’s reforms (Ezra 10:2-3). Another, a priest returning with Zerubbabel, represents the continuity of worship (Ezra 2:6). In Nehemiah, a man by this name contributes to rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 3:10), while another is identified as the father-in-law of Tobiah, an opponent of the restoration efforts.
The recurrence of this name highlights the widespread presence of those committed to living in close relationship with God during a fragile period. It reflects a community where ordinary citizens, from priests to laymen, were named for their divine connection and actively engaged in rebuilding their society after exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shecaniah carries a quiet but powerful meaning: "dweller with Jehovah." In the Hebrew Bible, this title is not reserved for kings or prophets alone. It marks ordinary men—priests, gatekeepers, and family heads—who chose to stay close to God during uncertain times. Their lives show us that faithfulness is often found in steady presence rather than dramatic displays.
When we look at the stories of these individuals, we see a community rebuilding its identity after exile. One Shecaniah stood before Ezra to confess the people’s failures and offer hope (Ezra 10:2). Another helped repair the walls of Jerusalem, standing guard at the east gate (Nehemiah 3:29). These details remind us that God values those who remain engaged in their daily duties with integrity.
For your own walk, this word invites you to consider what it means to "dwell" with God. It is an invitation to find security in His presence amidst life’s changes. Whether you are serving in a small role or leading a large group, the call remains the same: stay near to Him. This constant connection provides the strength needed for any task.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shecaniah7×
- to/ Shecaniah1×
- of/ Shecaniah1×
- and/ Shecaniah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁכַנְיָ֖ה2×
- שְׁכַנְיָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- שְׁכַנְיָ֨ה1×
- שְׁכַנְיָ֥ה1×
- שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה\ \ס1×
- שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה1×
- לִ/שְׁכַנְיָ֣ה1×
- לִ/שְׁכַנְיָ֖הוּ1×
- וּ/שְׁכַנְיָ֛הוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:2
Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
This occurrence matters because Shecaniah publicly acknowledges sin and points toward hope, showing how personal repentance can lead to communal renewal.
-
Nehemiah 3:29
After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. After him, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate, made repairs.
Here the word highlights active service, as Shemaiah son of Shecaniah repairs the city walls while guarding the east gate, linking the name to physical protection and duty.
-
II Chronicles 31:15
Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the small;
This verse shows the name in a context of fair distribution, where Shecaniah helps ensure that priests receive their portions equally, reflecting justice within worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Shecaniah mean?
Is Shecaniah one person or many?
Why is Shecaniah mentioned in Ezra 10?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 4 books)
I Chronicles 3 verses
The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of…
I Chronicles 3:22The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
I Chronicles 24:11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,