שֵׁנִי (she.ni)
she.ni
second
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 146 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew word sheni functions primarily as an ordinal number meaning "second," but its range extends to describe something distinct or "other." Derived from a root implying doubling, it marks the next item in a sequence without diminishing the value of what came before. This is visible in Genesis 1:8, where the evening and morning are designated as the second day, establishing a clear order in creation.
Beyond simple numbering, sheni often carries the nuance of "another" or "different," distinguishing one entity from another. In Exodus 26:27, it describes the bars for the tabernacle's sides, specifying their placement as distinct components rather than mere repetitions. This usage highlights how the word helps organize complex structures and lists, ensuring clarity in legal and architectural details found throughout Numbers and Chronicles.
Translators sometimes render sheni as "again" when it appears in adverbial contexts, such as Genesis 22:15, where God calls to Abraham a second time. This reflects the underlying idea of repetition or a subsequent action. The word’s consistent presence across historical and legal texts underscores its role in bringing precision to biblical narratives, allowing readers to follow sequences and distinctions with confidence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sheni simply means "second," but its presence in Scripture offers a quiet reminder that order matters to God. From the structured days of creation in Genesis 1 to the precise instructions for building the tabernacle, this term helps us see how God organizes time and space. It does not suggest that the first thing was less important; rather, it establishes a clear sequence where each part has its proper place.
In our own lives, we often feel pressured to be first or to rush ahead. This word invites a different pace. When Genesis 1:8 marks the end of the second day, it shows that God’s work proceeds with deliberate care. We can trust that our own seasons follow a similar divine rhythm. Even when we are in a waiting period, there is purpose in the sequence.
Consider how sheni appears in Genesis 41:52, where Joseph names his second son Ephraim because God made him fruitful in affliction. Here, the "second" child becomes a sign of hope after hardship. This pattern suggests that what comes later is not an afterthought but a continuation of God’s faithfulness. We can find comfort in knowing that our story is being written with intention.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 146 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ second82×
- the/ second23×
- a second [time]18×
- second16×
- a second3×
- the/ second [son]1×
- the/ second [bird]1×
- second [thing]1×
- second [decks]1×
- on the/ second [day]1×
- and/ the/ second [thing]1×
- and/ second1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֔י27×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֖ית14×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִֽית\׃11×
- שֵׁנִ֑ית9×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֖י9×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֑י9×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִֽי\׃7×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִי֙6×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֑ית5×
- שֵׁנִית֙4×
- שֵׁנִֽית\׃4×
- הַ/שֵּׁנִ֗ית4×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:8
God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
This verse uses sheni to mark the completion of the second day, establishing a structured timeline for creation.
-
Genesis 41:52
The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Joseph names his second son Ephraim, linking the ordinal number directly to God's fruitfulness in a time of suffering.
-
Exodus 26:27
and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward.
The term specifies the five bars for the north side of the tabernacle, highlighting its role in architectural precision.
-
Genesis 22:15
Yahweh’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky,
Here sheni functions adverbially to describe God calling Abraham a second time, emphasizing repetition and confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word sheni mean?
How is sheni different from other words for two?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (146 verses across 25 books)
Genesis 12 verses
God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
Genesis 2:13The name of the second river is Gihon. It is the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush.
Genesis 4:19Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah.
Genesis 6:16You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship in its…
Genesis 7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the…
Genesis 8:14In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
Genesis 22:15Yahweh’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky,
Genesis 30:7Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.
Genesis 30:12Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son.
Genesis 41:5He slept and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good.
Genesis 41:52The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 47:18When that year was ended, they came to him the second year, and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord how our…