שְׁנָת (she.nat)
she.nat
sleep
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun shenat (שֵׁנָה) simply means sleep in Biblical Hebrew. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, in Psalm 127:2. This rare occurrence highlights how the word carries significant theological weight despite its brevity.
In this verse, the psalmist contrasts human effort with divine provision. The text states that it is vain to rise early and go late to rest, for God gives shenat to His beloved. Here, sleep is not merely a biological necessity but a gift from God, provided even to those He loves without their striving.
This single usage distinguishes shenat as a sign of trust rather than laziness. While many verses warn against slothfulness, this passage frames rest as an act of faith, acknowledging that human labor cannot secure all things. The word reminds readers that peace and restoration are gifts received, not achievements earned.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shenat appears just once in the Old Testament, found in Psalm 127:2. The psalmist writes that it is vain for people to rise early and go late to rest, because God gives sleep to His beloved. This simple noun transforms a biological necessity into a spiritual lesson. It reminds us that our labor cannot secure everything we need.
Instead of striving endlessly to control every outcome, this word invites us to trust in God’s provision. Sleep becomes an act of faith, acknowledging that peace and restoration are gifts received rather than achievements earned. When we rest, we declare that God is in control.
This rare occurrence carries significant theological weight. It distinguishes true rest from laziness, framing it as a sign of trust. You do not need to earn your peace through constant effort. God gives this gift freely to those He loves, offering a quiet invitation to lay down your burdens and rely on His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sleep1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁנַ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 132:4
I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
Although this verse uses different Hebrew words for sleep and slumber, it provides a contrasting image of intense vigilance rather than restful trust.