שָׂנִיא (sa.ni)
sa.ni
hated
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective śānîʾ describes something or someone that is hated or held in deep aversion. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 21:15, where it modifies "wife" to describe a woman whom her husband dislikes.
In this specific legal context, the word distinguishes between two wives when inheritance rights are at stake. The text uses śānîʾ to identify the less favored partner, ensuring that the firstborn son of the beloved wife still receives his proper double portion. This usage highlights a practical application of familial bias within ancient Israelite law.
The term derives from the root śânê, which conveys active hostility or rejection rather than mere indifference. By limiting its occurrence to this single verse, the text emphasizes that even in cases of clear personal aversion, legal protections for children remain intact and impartial.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word śānîʾ, translated as 'hated', appears only once in the Old Testament within Deuteronomy 21:15. This rare occurrence is not about emotional hatred but serves a precise legal function. It distinguishes between two wives to ensure that inheritance rights are protected regardless of personal affection. The law prioritizes justice over the father's feelings, guaranteeing the firstborn son receives his double portion even if he is the child of the less favored wife.
This passage offers a quiet comfort for those navigating complex family dynamics or unfair treatment. It shows that God’s laws are designed to protect the vulnerable from the fluctuations of human preference. Even when relationships are strained or favor is uneven, divine justice remains steady and impartial. You can trust that fairness is woven into the fabric of Scripture, offering stability when human loyalty falters.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to the/ hated [wife]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/שְּׂנִיאָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 21:15
If a man has two wives, the one beloved and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated, and if the firstborn son is hers who was hated,
The term identifies the less favored wife to legally secure the inheritance rights of her firstborn son against paternal bias.