שָׁמֵן (sha.men)
sha.men
rich
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shāmen describes something that is rich, full, or robust. It most commonly refers to food that is abundant and nourishing, suggesting a state of plenty. When applied to people, it shifts slightly to mean stout or physically strong, indicating health and vitality rather than just weight.
Although it appears only eight times in the Hebrew Bible, its usage is distinctive. In Judges 3:20 and Numbers 11:8, it describes the rich texture of food, such as the manna or a feast prepared for a king. This concrete imagery helps readers understand that biblical "richness" often involves physical sustenance and strength, not just wealth.
The term highlights how ancient Israelites valued physical well-being as a sign of blessing. By using shāmen for both food and people, the text connects nourishment with robust life. It reminds us that in Scripture, being "fat" or "rich" is often about being fully sustained by God’s provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shāmen paints a picture of abundance that goes beyond simple wealth. It describes food that is rich and nourishing, or people who are physically strong and vital. In ancient Israel, this richness was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing and provision. When the text speaks of a 'rich land' or 'rich food,' it points to a life fully sustained by divine care.
This imagery reminds us that physical well-being is not separate from spiritual faith. The Bible connects nourishment with robust life, showing that God cares about our daily sustenance. Whether it is the manna in the wilderness or the harvest of a fertile field, shāmen highlights how God provides for His people's needs.
Reflecting on this word can bring comfort during seasons of scarcity. It assures us that God’s provision is not meager but abundant and life-giving. We can trust that He desires to feed us with what is good and sustaining, both for our bodies and our souls.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fertile2×
- ¿/ fat1×
- stout [person]1×
- and/ fat1×
- and/ <the>/ fertile1×
- [will be] rich1×
- [is] fat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁמֵ֣ן2×
- שָׁמֵ֖ן1×
- שְׁמֵנָה֒1×
- שְׁמֵנָ֣ה1×
- וְ/שָׁמֵ֑ן1×
- וְ/הַ/שְּׁמֵנָ֛ה1×
- הַ/שְּׁמֵנָ֨ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:20
“Asher’s food will be rich. He will produce royal dainties.
This verse uses shāmen to describe Asher's food as rich, linking the tribe's blessing directly to abundant and high-quality sustenance.
-
Nehemiah 9:25
They took fortified cities and a rich land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns dug out, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate, were filled, became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
Here the word describes the land itself as rich, showing how God's goodness provided not just survival but delight and fullness for His people.
-
Isaiah 30:23
He will give the rain for your seed, with which you will sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the ground will be rich and plentiful. In that day, your livestock will feed in large pastures.
The promise of bread that is rich and plentiful illustrates God's faithful provision for those who seek Him, ensuring their physical needs are met abundantly.