Lexical Summary Senaah: Senaah Original Word: סְנָאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Senaah, Hassenaah with the article From an unused root meaning to prick; thorny; Senaah, a place in Palestine -- Senaah, Hassenaah (with the article). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a family of returning exiles NASB Translation Hassenaah (1), Senaah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs סְנָאָה apparently proper name, masculine ׳בְּנֵי ס Ezra 2:35 = Nehemiah 7:38, ׳בְּנֵי הַסּ Nehemiah 3:3; ᵐ5 Σαανα, Σανανα(τ), etc., ᵐ5L Σενναα; MeyJudenth. 150, 154 reads סְנֻאָה (׳ס for ׳שׂ, compare סְנוּאָה) = sons of the hated (rejected) woman, i.e. the poorer classes of Jerusalem. סְנוּאָה proper name, masculine (but see סְנָאָה); — ׳בֶּןהַֿסּ Nehemiah 11:9 (ᵐ5 Ασανα, ᵐ5L Ασεννα), בֶּןהַֿסְּנֻאָה 1 Chronicles 9:7 (ᵐ5 Αανα, A Ασανουα, ᵐ5L Σαανα). Topical Lexicon Overview Senaah designates both a family clan and their ancestral settlement in the post-exilic records. Although mentioned only three times, this name is woven into the narrative thread that chronicles God’s faithful preservation of His covenant people during the return from Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Geographical Setting The exact location of Senaah is uncertain, yet its repeated pairing with towns north of Jerusalem has led many scholars to place it in the Benjamin hill country or on the western edge of the Jordan Valley. Its people could therefore journey to the capital without crossing imperial borders, enabling ready participation in restoration work sanctioned by Persian edict. Biblical Occurrences and Context 1. Ezra 2:35 lists “the descendants of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.” This sizeable contingent traveled with Zerubbabel in the first wave of returnees (circa 538 BC). Their numbers rank among the largest of any single family named in the census, underscoring both the cohesion of the clan and their readiness to sacrifice comfort in Babylon for life in a devastated homeland. Return from Exile—A Testimony of Faith The prominence of Senaah in the returns highlights the Lord’s ability to preserve an identifiable remnant as promised by the prophets (Jeremiah 29:10–14). Their willingness to uproot from prosperous Babylon mirrors Abraham’s obedience (Genesis 12:1–4) and anticipates the New Testament call to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Service in Rebuilding Jerusalem By repairing the Fish Gate, the sons of Senaah helped secure the city’s most vulnerable sector. The task required carpentry, metalwork, and coordination with neighboring crews, illustrating Paul’s later description of the church as a body in which “the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21). Each family’s distinct contribution advanced a common mission. Theological and Ministry Lessons • God values faithful anonymity. Senaah never produces a famous prophet or king, yet their steadfast labor earns three inspired mentions. Legacy in Redemptive History Senaah stands as a collective witness that covenant promises extend to entire households. Their account encourages contemporary believers to seize generational opportunities—whether planting churches, rebuilding communities, or supporting missions—with confidence that God records every act of faith (Hebrews 6:10). Forms and Transliterations הַסְּנָאָ֑ה הסנאה סְנָאָ֔ה סנאה has·sə·nā·’āh hassənā’āh hassenaAh sə·nā·’āh sənā’āh senaAhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:35 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י סְנָאָ֔ה שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים NAS: the sons of Senaah, 3630 KJV: The children of Senaah, three thousand INT: the children of Senaah three thousand Nehemiah 3:3 Nehemiah 7:38 3 Occurrences |
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