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שֵׁן (shen)

shen

tooth

H8128 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
A:N

Word Overview

The word shen in Aramaic simply means "tooth." It is the equivalent of the Hebrew shen, appearing only three times in the Bible, all within the book of Daniel. In these rare instances, it serves as a concrete detail in visions and narratives, grounding abstract prophecies in physical reality.

Its presence highlights the literal nature of the texts. For example, in Daniel 7:7, it describes the teeth of a terrifying beast, emphasizing its destructive power. The term does not carry complex theological metaphor here; it refers to the actual organ used for biting and crushing. This straightforward usage reminds readers that biblical visions often employ tangible imagery to convey spiritual truths.

Translators consistently render this word as "tooth," maintaining its plain meaning across languages. The consistency between the Hebrew and Aramaic forms shows how the concept remained stable within the Semitic linguistic tradition. By keeping the reference literal, the text allows the context itself to determine whether the image suggests judgment, strength, or danger.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

In Daniel’s visions, the word for tooth appears not as a theological concept but as a vivid, physical detail. It grounds terrifying prophecies in concrete reality. When the text mentions iron teeth or ribs held between them, it paints a picture of overwhelming force. This imagery reminds us that biblical language often uses tangible objects to convey spiritual truths about power and judgment.

For your faith, this literal usage invites you to take the visions seriously without getting lost in abstract speculation. The focus remains on the actions described—devouring, breaking, stamping—which highlight the destructive nature of the powers portrayed. You can trust that the text is clear in its intent: to reveal the severity of these historical and spiritual realities through simple, striking imagery.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • tooth/ its2×
  • and/ teeth1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • שִׁנַּ֤/הּ1×
  • שִׁנַּ֑/הּ1×
  • וְ/שִׁנַּ֨יִן1×

Key Verses

  • Daniel 7:5
    “Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’

    This occurrence places ribs between teeth, emphasizing the bear’s capacity to hold and consume flesh with aggressive intent.

  • Daniel 7:7
    “After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns.

    The description of great iron teeth establishes the fourth beast’s superior destructive power compared to previous animals.

  • Daniel 7:19
    “Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of bronze; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;

    Here, iron teeth and bronze nails are listed together to detail the specific instruments of the beast’s devastation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does shen mean in Daniel?

Shen simply means tooth. In Daniel, it is used literally to describe the physical features of beasts in visions, such as iron teeth that break and devour.

Is there a deeper metaphor for tooth in these verses?

The text does not assign complex theological meanings to the word itself. Instead, it uses the concrete image of teeth to illustrate the destructive power and judgment associated with the beasts.

Why is this word significant in Daniel 7?

It provides a stark, visual detail that helps readers understand the severity of the fourth beast. The mention of iron teeth underscores the impossibility of resisting such power.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Daniel 3 verses
Daniel 7:5

“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its…

Daniel 7:7

“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…

Daniel 7:19

“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly…