שָׁלֹשׁ (sha.losh)
sha.losh
three
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 350 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shalosh is the standard term for the number three, appearing over four hundred times in the Old Testament. It functions as a fundamental counting unit, marking time, quantity, and order across narratives ranging from genealogies to legal codes. Its forms shift slightly to agree with gender and case, but the core meaning remains consistently numerical.
Beyond simple counting, shalosh carries structural weight. In Exodus 14:7, it describes the "third men" or elite warriors in Egyptian chariots, highlighting a specific rank within military hierarchy. This usage shows how the number can denote a distinct category or tier of importance rather than just a quantity.
The word also appears in musical contexts, such as in 1 Samuel 18:6, where it modifies instruments struck in rhythm with drums. This suggests that three was seen as a complete cycle or pattern in ancient Israelite culture, often implying completeness or divine order in liturgical and historical settings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shalosh marks the number three, appearing frequently in the Old Testament to count people, time, and objects. While it often serves a simple numerical purpose in genealogies or legal codes, it also carries structural weight. In ancient Israel, this number frequently signaled a complete cycle or a distinct tier of importance, suggesting that God’s work often unfolds in deliberate, ordered patterns rather than random events.
For your faith, this reminds us that God is precise and intentional. When Scripture mentions three days or three individuals, it points to divine order and completeness. Whether in the story of Enoch walking with God for centuries or Joseph interpreting dreams involving three branches, the number highlights moments where human history intersects with heavenly purpose. We can trust that our lives are held within a sovereign plan that values both detail and design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 350 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- three225×
- and/ three55×
- [the] three18×
- thir-9×
- the/ three9×
- three [things]7×
- to/ three4×
- about/ three4×
- [were] three4×
- on/ [day] thir-3×
- [were] thir-3×
- [was] three3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁלֹ֥שׁ28×
- שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה23×
- שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת22×
- שָׁלֹ֣שׁ19×
- שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת16×
- שָׁלֹ֥שׁ13×
- שְׁלֹשׁ\־13×
- שְׁלֹשָׁה֙11×
- שְׁלֹשָֽׁה\׃11×
- שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה11×
- וּ/שְׁלֹשָֽׁה\׃\ \ס10×
- שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה7×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 18:2
He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,
This verse records three men appearing to Abraham, a moment where the number three introduces a divine visitation that leads to the promise of Isaac.
-
Genesis 40:13
Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cup bearer.
Joseph interprets the three branches as three days, showing how the number marks a specific timeframe for God’s restoration of the cupbearer.
-
Genesis 6:10
Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Noah’s three sons represent the complete human lineage that survives the flood, establishing the future population of the earth.
-
Genesis 5:23
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
The specific count of Enoch’s years underscores the long, faithful period during which he walked with God before his translation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shalosh mean in Hebrew?
Is there a special spiritual meaning to the number three in the Bible?
Where else does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (350 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 27 verses
After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 5:23All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
Genesis 6:10Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 6:15This is how you shall make it. The length of the ship shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its…
Genesis 7:13In the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with…
Genesis 9:19These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
Genesis 9:28Noah lived three hundred fifty years after the flood.
Genesis 11:13Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 11:15Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 14:4They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Genesis 14:14When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his…
Genesis 17:25Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 18:2He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the…
Genesis 18:6Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.”
Genesis 29:2He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they…
Genesis 29:34She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him…
Genesis 30:36He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Genesis 38:24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…
Genesis 40:10and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes.
Genesis 40:12Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
Genesis 40:13Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup…
Genesis 40:16When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold,…
Genesis 40:18Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days.
Genesis 40:19Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will…
Genesis 42:17He put them all together into custody for three days.
Genesis 45:22He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes…
Genesis 46:15These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the souls of his sons…