שָׁנָה (sha.nah)
sha.nah
to change; to repeat
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shanah carries two distinct threads of meaning: to change or alter, and to repeat or do again. In the Qal stem, it often denotes a simple repetition of an action or event. This usage appears notably in Genesis 41:32, where Joseph explains that Pharaoh’s dream is repeated because God has firmly decided to bring it to pass soon. The word emphasizes the certainty and recurrence of what has been shown.
When used to mean change, shanah describes a shift in state or condition. In the Pual stem, it can mean to be changed or mollified, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:29 where God is described as not changing His mind regarding Saul’s kingship. The Hithpael stem adds a layer of personal action, meaning to disguise oneself, as Esther does when she approaches the king in Esther 2:17. This variety allows the word to cover both external alterations and internal dispositions.
The connection between repeating and changing lies in the idea of bringing something new into existence through recurrence. A repeated event is not merely a copy; it often signals a deepening or fulfillment of purpose. Translators usually render shanah as "repeat" or "change," depending on context. Its presence in Proverbs highlights wisdom’s call to observe patterns, while its use in historical books underscores divine sovereignty over events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shanah bridges two vital aspects of our spiritual lives: repetition and change. In Genesis 41:32, Joseph notes that Pharaoh’s dream was repeated because God had firmly decided to act. This repetition is not empty redundancy; it signals certainty. When God confirms a promise or a warning through recurrence, it invites us to pay attention. The pattern suggests that what is stated twice is established in divine purpose.
Conversely, shanah also describes change, whether external or internal. Proverbs 26:11 warns against the fool who repeats folly, highlighting how our choices shape our character. Meanwhile, Malachi 3:6 reminds us that God does not change. This constancy provides a stable anchor in a shifting world. We can trust His nature even when our circumstances alter.
Understanding this word helps us see the rhythm of faith. We are called to repeat acts of obedience and love, while relying on the unchanging character of God. It encourages us to learn from patterns in our lives and to find rest in His steadfastness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will do [it] again1×
- to/ change1×
- they repeated1×
- he repeated1×
- do again1×
- and/ you will disguise yourself1×
- and/ they did again1×
- and/ he moved/ her1×
- and/ he may change1×
- and/ he changed1×
- and/ [one who] repeats1×
- [you are] changing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּשְׁנ֕וּ1×
- שׁוֹנֶ֥ה1×
- שׁוֹנִ֑ים1×
- שֹׁנ֣וֹת1×
- שָׁנִ֑יתִי1×
- שָׁ֥נָה1×
- שְׁנוּ֙1×
- שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים1×
- מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה1×
- לְ/שַׁנּ֣וֹת1×
- יִשְׁנ֑וּ1×
- וַ/יִּשְׁנ֔וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 41:32
The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
This verse uses the repetition of the dream to demonstrate that God has firmly established the event and will bring it to pass soon.
-
Malachi 3:6
“For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
The declaration that God does not change serves as the foundation for the assurance that His people are not consumed despite their failures.
-
Proverbs 26:11
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Here the word describes a fool who repeats folly, illustrating how persistent bad habits lead to predictable and foolish outcomes.
-
I Kings 14:2
Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please get up and disguise yourself, so that you won’t be recognized as Jeroboam’s wife. Go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said that I would be king over this people.
Jeroboam instructs his wife to disguise herself, showing the stem used for altering one's appearance to avoid recognition.