Lexical Summary shanah: To change, to repeat, to do again Original Word: שָׁנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance do speak, strike again, alter, double, be given to change, disguise, be diverse, pervert, A primitive root; to fold, i.e. Duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive) -- do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to repeat, do again NASB Translation again (1), did it a second time (1), do it a second time (1), do so again (1), repeating (1), repeats (2), second time (3), speak again (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [שָׁנָה] verb change (Late Hebrew Pi`el, etc.; Ecclus 42:24; etc.; Assyrian šanû, change, Aramaic שְׁנָא, Nabataean Ethpa`al Lzb379; Syriac  , especially mentally = grow insane; compare (probably) Late Hebrew שָׁנָה year, = Phoenician שנת, שת; MI2, 8 שת; Assyrian šattu (compare Muss-ArnJBL xi (1892), 73 n.); Arabic  ; Aramaic שְׁנַא, שַׁתָּא,  ,  ; Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene שנתא, שנת, שת, שנן Lzb379f.; on year from changing seasons, see PhilippiZMG xxxii (1878), 79 f. BaZMG xll (1887), 612, 621, 636 (especially against DHMVIme Orient. Congr. ii. 1, 452 who proposes biliteral √), compare Thes; a daring suggestion by JenZA vii (1892), 177); — Qal Perfect1singular לאֹ שָׁנִיתִי Malachi 3:6 I am ׳׳י, I do not change: Imperfect3masculine singular יִשְׁנֶא (Ges§ 75rr) Lamentations 4:1 how is the fine gold changed (si vera lectio; LöhrNow יִשָּׁנֵא; gloss on יוּעַס Bu Löhr); Infinitive construct שְׁנוֺת יְמִין עֶלְיוֺן Psalm 77:11 the right hand of the Highest is changed (ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 Aq Symm Theod Hup-Now RVm Bae Du We Buhl; AV RV Ew De Che and others years, usually insert I will remember); Participle שׁוֺנִים Esther 1:7 differing, different, with מִן, compare Esther 3:8 (so Ecclus 42:24); Proverbs 24:21 those who change (but dubious, see Toy). Pi`el transitive, change, alter: Perfect3masculine singular שִׁנָּה Jeremiah 52:33 with accusative garments, = שִׁנָּא (Gesl.c.) 2 Kings 25:29; Imperfect3masculine singular יְשַׁנֶּה דִּין Proverbs 31:5 lest he pervert the judgment; וַיְשַׁנּוֺ 1 Samuel 21:14 (read וַיְשַׁן Ges§ 75bb, וַיְשַׁנֶּה We Dr (and references), compare Bu HPS Now), with accusative טַעְמוֺ (see טַעַם, and Assyrian šanê ‰êmi, madness); וַיְשַׁנֶּהָ Esther 2:9, i.e. changed her place לְטוֺב בֵּית הַנָּשִׁים; 1 singular Psalm 89:35 the utterance of my lips I will not change ("" לֹא אֲחַלֵּל בְּרִיתִי); Infinitive construct לְשַׁנּוֺת אֶתדַּֿרְכֵךְ Jeremiah 2:36 i.e. change thy political course; בְּשַׁנּוֺתוֺ אֶתֿ טַעְמוֺ Psalm 34:1 (title; compare 1 Samuel 21:14 above); Participle מְשַׁנֶּה פָנָיו Job 14:20 altering his face, i.e. in death (subject God). Pu`al Imperfect3masculine singular וְעֹז מָּנָיו יְשֻׁנֶּא (Ges§ 75rr) Ecclesiastes 8:1, usually is changed, mollified, Siegf יִשָּׂנֵא is hated (on ׳עֹז פ see עֹז 4, √עזז). Hithpa`el Perfect2feminine singular consecutive קוּמִי וְהִשְׁתַּנִּית 1 Kings 14:2 arise, pray, and disguise thyself. III. שָׁנָה verb repeat, do again (Late Hebrew id.; Ecclus 42:1; Arabic Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳שׁ 2 Samuel 20:10; Imperfect1singular אֶשְׁנֶה 1 Samuel 26:8, etc.; Imperative masculine plural שְׁנוּ 1 Kings 18:34; Participle שֹׁנֶה Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 26:11; — do again: לוֺ ׳וַיַּכֵּהוּוְ֗֗֗לֹא שׁ 2 Samuel 20:10, compare 1 Samuel 26:8; absolute 1 Kings 18:34 (twice in verse); Nehemiah 13:21; = speak again Job 29:22 + Job 40:5 according to many moderns (אשׁנה for ᵑ0 אענה); בְּדָבָר ׳שׁ Proverbs 17:9 repeat with a thing, keep talking about it (שנות דבר Ecclus 42:1); Proverbs 26:11 a dullard repeats with (ב) his folly, does it over again (learns nothing by experience). Niph`al Infinitive construct וְעַל הִשָּׁנוֺת הַחֲלוֺם אֶלמַּֿרְעֹה מַּעֲמָ֑יִם Genesis 41:32 (E) concerning the dream's being repeated, etc. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Scope of Usage Strong’s Hebrew 8138 describes the act of repeating or altering something that already exists. The twenty-two Old Testament occurrences cluster around four themes: (1) confirmation through repetition, (2) change of appearance or conduct, (3) alteration of decrees or covenants, and (4) habitual recurrence of sinful patterns. Together these uses illuminate both the reliability of God and the fickleness of fallen humanity. Repetition as Divine Confirmation When Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s pair of dreams, he explained, “Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, the matter has been determined by God, and He will carry it out soon” (Genesis 41:32). The doubling of the dream, marked by the verb 8138, underlines a principle: God sometimes confirms His word by repetition so that His purpose cannot be mistaken. Elijah followed the same principle on Mount Carmel, commanding, “Do it a second time…Do it a third time” (1 Kings 18:34) in order to erase any suspicion of trickery. Likewise Abishai boasted to David that one thrust would suffice and he would “not have to strike him twice” (1 Samuel 26:8); Joab actually achieved that singular, decisive blow against Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10). In each case the absence of a second act reinforces certainty, while the presence of a repeated act underscores inevitability. For expositors and teachers, these passages encourage noticing divine patterns of confirmation throughout Scripture. Disguise and Counterfeit The same verb can signify deliberate change of appearance. Jeroboam’s wife is told, “Disguise yourself, so that none will know you are the wife of Jeroboam” (1 Kings 14:2). David “feigned insanity” before Achish (1 Samuel 21, superscription of Psalm 34) by “changing his behavior” to preserve his life. Such uses warn readers about deception and hypocrisy. The prohibition of forming close ties “with those who are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21) extends the caution to social alliances, reminding God’s people that exterior shifts often mask interior rebellion. Alteration of Covenants, Laws, and Status Psalm 89:34 places 8138 on God’s lips: “I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.” Malachi echoes this constancy: “For I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6). These statements contrast sharply with human rulers, such as Xerxes, whose court boasted of “drinks served in various vessels” (Esther 1:7) and whose laws were “different from those of every other people” (Esther 3:8). Jeremiah rebukes Judah, “Why do you go about so much, changing your ways?” (Jeremiah 2:36). Even Jehoiachin’s prison garments were “changed” when Evil-merodach released him (Jeremiah 52:33), underscoring the transience of earthly fortunes. Through these references Scripture highlights the unalterable nature of divine covenant in contrast to the mutable policies of men. Repetition and Folly Proverbs employs 8138 to expose the destructive cycle of sin. “He who repeats a matter separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9); “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11). Nehemiah confronted Sabbath violators: “If you do so again, I will lay hands on you” (Nehemiah 13:21). These texts present repetition not as confirmation but as obstinate persistence in wrongdoing. Pastoral application urges believers to break cycles of gossip, addiction, and backsliding by embracing the unchanging grace and standards of God. Human Frailty before Unchanging Deity Job laments that God “changes his countenance and sends him away” (Job 14:20); yet Job’s former audience “did not speak again” after his counsel (Job 29:22). Human faces, fortunes, and words are subject to alteration, but the Lord’s covenant stands firm. This juxtaposition culminates in Malachi 3:6 where God’s immutability secures Israel’s survival: if He could change, judgment would be final. Liturgical and Prophetic Resonances Elijah’s thrice-poured water, David’s altered demeanor, and Joseph’s doubled dream all appear in Sabbath readings and prophetic sermons to stress either God’s faithfulness or the urgency of repentance. In worship, the community sings Psalm 34, recalling David’s changed behavior yet God’s unwavering deliverance. Prophets cite Malachi 3:6 to ground hope in the Lord’s permanence amid social upheaval. Ministry Implications 1. Teaching: Emphasize that divine repetition signals certainty. When Scripture states a promise twice, the congregation may rest secure. Christological Echoes Hebrews 13:8 affirms, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” echoing the Old Testament witness that God does not change (Malachi 3:6). At the same time, the Gospel calls sinners to “repent,” literally to turn and change, breaking the old sinful repetition (cf. Acts 3:19). Thus the Son embodies both the divine constancy that preserves and the transformative grace that ends destructive cycles. Summary Strong’s 8138 weaves a tapestry of confirmation, disguise, alteration, and cyclical behavior. Its ultimate theological thrust is twofold: God’s word, covenant, and character never alter, while human beings are prone to change—either toward deception and repeated folly or toward repentance and renewed obedience. Recognizing these patterns equips the church to trust the unchanging Lord and proclaim the gospel power that alone can interrupt the fatal rhythms of sin. Forms and Transliterations אֲשַׁנֶּֽה׃ אֶשְׁנֶ֖ה אשנה אשנה׃ בְּשַׁנּוֹת֣וֹ בשנותו הִשָּׁנ֧וֹת השנות וְהִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית וְשִׁנָּ֕ה וְשֹׁנֶ֥ה וִֽ֝ישַׁנֶּה וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ וַיְשַׁנּ֤וֹ וַיִּשְׁנ֔וּ והשתנית וישנה וישנו ונים ושנה יִשְׁנ֑וּ ישנו לְשַׁנּ֣וֹת לשנות מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה משנה שְׁנוּ֙ שָׁ֥נָה שָׁנִ֑יתִי שֹׁנ֣וֹת שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים שׁוֹנִ֑ים שׁוֹנֶ֥ה שונה שונים שנה שנו שנות שניתי תִּשְׁנ֕וּ תשנו ’ă·šan·neh ’ăšanneh ’eš·neh ’ešneh ashanNeh bə·šan·nō·w·ṯōw bəšannōwṯōw beshannoTo eshNeh hiš·šā·nō·wṯ hishshaNot hiššānōwṯ lə·šan·nō·wṯ ləšannōwṯ leshanNot mə·šan·neh məšanneh meshanNeh šā·nāh šā·nî·ṯî šānāh šānîṯî šə·nū šənū Shanah shaNiti sheNu shoNeh shoNim shoNot šō·nō·wṯ šō·w·neh šō·w·nîm šōnōwṯ šōwneh šōwnîm tiš·nū tishNu tišnū vaiyishNu vayshanNeha vayshanNo vehishtanNit veshinNah veshoNeh Vishanneh vNim w·nîm way·šan·ne·hā way·šan·nōw way·yiš·nū wayšannehā wayšannōw wayyišnū wə·hiš·tan·nîṯ wə·šin·nāh wə·šō·neh wəhištannîṯ wəšinnāh wəšōneh wî·šan·neh wîšanneh wnîm yiš·nū yishNu yišnūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 41:32 HEB: וְעַ֨ל הִשָּׁנ֧וֹת הַחֲל֛וֹם אֶל־ NAS: Now as for the repeating of the dream KJV: And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh INT: for the repeating of the dream to 1 Samuel 21:14 1 Samuel 26:8 2 Samuel 20:10 1 Kings 14:2 1 Kings 18:34 1 Kings 18:34 Nehemiah 13:21 Esther 1:7 Esther 2:9 Esther 3:8 Job 14:20 Job 29:22 Psalm 34:1 Psalm 89:34 Proverbs 17:9 Proverbs 24:21 Proverbs 26:11 Proverbs 31:5 Jeremiah 2:36 Jeremiah 52:33 Malachi 3:6 22 Occurrences |
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bend, fold, double; Aramaic תְּנָא repeat, also teach, 
; Assyrian šanû, especially Pi`el repeat, relate, compare ScheilZA v (1890), 409 (Dl thinks denominative); on ׳שׁ as √of שְׁנַיִם two, see PhilippiZMG xxxii (1878), 77 Baib. xli (1887), 603); —