שַׁלְאֲנָן (shal.a.nan)
shal.a.nan
at ease
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shal’anan appears only once in the Bible, in Job 21:23. It describes a person who is at ease, quiet, and secure in their circumstances. The term conveys a sense of peaceful stability, free from anxiety or disturbance.
Lexical sources note that this specific form is likely a scribal error (lapsus calami) for the more common word sh’anan. While sh’anan appears elsewhere to describe confidence or self-assurance, shal’anan stands as a rare textual variant in Job’s speech about the prosperity of the wicked.
Its single occurrence highlights the theme of apparent security that often characterizes the lives of those who do not fear God in the book of Job. The word captures the outward calm and ease that can mask deeper spiritual realities, serving as a poignant detail in one of Scripture’s most complex discussions on suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Job 21:23 paints a striking picture of a life that appears completely secure. The Hebrew word shal’anan describes someone who is at ease, quiet, and undisturbed in their circumstances. It captures the outward calm of prosperity, where one dies in full strength without fear or trouble. This image can feel relatable when we see others living without visible struggle.
Yet this rare word also invites us to look deeper. In Job’s speech, it highlights how apparent peace does not always reflect spiritual reality. The text reminds us that external stability is not the same as inner faithfulness. We are encouraged to seek a peace that rests in God, rather than one built on fleeting circumstances.
When life feels steady, we can thank God for His provision. When it feels uncertain, we can trust that He remains our anchor. This word serves as a gentle warning against mistaking comfort for security, pointing us toward the only true rest found in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] at ease1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן1×
Key Verses
-
Job 21:23
One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
This verse uses shal’anan to describe the wicked person’s quiet and undisturbed death, highlighting the deceptive nature of apparent prosperity.