שָׂנֵא (sa.ne)
sa.ne
to hate
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 114 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sa.ne means to hate, expressing a strong feeling of aversion or active hostility. It applies to personal relationships, as when Jacob describes being treated poorly by his father-in-law (Genesis 29:31), and to national conflicts, such as God’s judgment on those who oppose His people (Deuteronomy 7:10). The word covers both the emotion of hatred and the resulting enmity.
Its range extends beyond simple dislike to include active opposition. The participle form often functions as a noun for an enemy or foe, appearing in contexts like the psalmist’s plea for deliverance from those who pursue him (Psalm 35:19). It is also used for abstract concepts, such as God’s rejection of wicked sacrifices (Proverbs 15:29) or wisdom’s warning against hating correction (Proverbs 1:22).
This term carries significant weight in covenantal language. Deuteronomy uses it to describe God’s response to idolatry and rebellion, framing hatred as a judicial stance against evil rather than mere personal animosity (Deuteronomy 7:10). Translators render it variously as hate, enemy, or foe, depending on whether the context emphasizes the internal feeling or the external relationship of conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Scripture, the word for 'hate' carries a heavy weight, describing both deep personal hostility and divine rejection of evil. It is not merely a fleeting dislike but an active stance against what opposes God’s will or harms His people. When we encounter this term in narratives like Joseph’s story or legal codes in Deuteronomy, it reminds us that relationships matter deeply to God, as does our response to injustice.
For your faith journey, understanding this word invites reflection on how you treat others, even those who oppose you. Leviticus calls believers not to harbor hatred in their hearts but to address conflict with truth and grace. This standard challenges us to pursue peace while remaining firm against wrongdoing. It shows that God values integrity in our interactions, urging us to reflect His justice and mercy in everyday life.
Ultimately, this teaching points toward a heart aligned with God’s character—one that rejects malice yet extends compassion. By considering how Scripture frames hatred, you are encouraged to examine your own relationships and attitudes. May you find strength in God’s example of fairness and love, trusting Him to guide your steps toward reconciliation and righteousness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 114 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I hate11×
- [those who] hate/ you7×
- [one who] hates6×
- he hates5×
- [was] hating4×
- [those who] hate/ me4×
- it hates3×
- and/ [one who] hates3×
- you hate2×
- to/ hate2×
- to hate2×
- they hate2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֹׂנֵ֥א5×
- שָׂנֵ֑אתִי4×
- שׂוֹנֵ֣א3×
- שָׂנֵֽאתִי\׃3×
- שׂוֹנֵ֑א2×
- שָׂנֵ֣א2×
- שָׂ֭נֵאתִי2×
- שְׂנוּאָ֣ה2×
- שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם2×
- מְשַׂנְאֶ֖י/ךָ2×
- לְ/שֹׂנְאָֽ֑/י\׃2×
- יִשְׂנָ֣א2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 37:4
His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn’t speak peaceably to him.
This verse illustrates how familial favoritism can spark intense hatred, showing the destructive power of envy in relationships.
-
Leviticus 19:17
“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Here, the command not to hate in one's heart emphasizes internal purity and the importance of addressing conflict directly rather than harboring resentment.
-
Deuteronomy 7:10
and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face.
This occurrence highlights God’s judicial stance against those who actively oppose Him, framing hatred as a response to rebellion rather than personal animosity.
-
Exodus 23:5
If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.
The instruction to help an enemy’s donkey demonstrates that even when faced with hostility, believers are called to act with kindness and practical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word sa.ne mean?
How is sa.ne different from simple dislike?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (114 verses across 22 books)
Genesis 7 verses
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your…
Genesis 26:27Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?”
Genesis 29:31Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
Genesis 29:33She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me…
Genesis 37:4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him, and couldn’t speak…
Genesis 37:5Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.
Genesis 37:8His brothers asked him, “Will you indeed reign over us? Will you indeed have dominion over us?” They hated him all the…