8172. shaan
Lexical Summary
shaan: To lean, to support oneself, to rely

Original Word: שָׁעַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sha`an
Pronunciation: shaw-an'
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-an')
KJV: lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay
NASB: relied, rely, lean, leaned, leaning, leans, rest yourselves
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to support one's self

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lean, lie, rely, rest on, self, stay

A primitive root; to support one's self -- lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to lean, support oneself
NASB Translation
lean (3), leaned (2), leaning (2), leans (2), relied (4), rely (4), rest yourselves (1), supported (1), trust (1), trusted (1), trusts (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[שָׁעַן] verb Niph`al lean, support oneself; — Perfect3masculine singular consecutive וְנִשְׁעַן Numbers 21:15; Isaiah 10:20; 1plural נִשְׁעַנּוּ2Chron 14:10, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִשָּׁעֵן Job 8:15 +, etc.; Imperative masculine plural הִשָּׁעֲנוּ Genesis 18:4; Infinitive construct הִשָּׁעֵן Isaiah 10:20, suffix הִשָּׁעֶנְךָ2Chronicles 16:7,8, etc.; Participle נִשְׁעָן 2 Samuel 1:6 +; — lean, with עַל upon, 2 Samuel 1:6; 2 Kings 5:18; 2 Kings 7:2,17, against pillars Judges 16:26, house Job 8:15 (figurative); תַּחַת הָעֵץ Genesis 18:4 (J); poetic of cliff, לִגְּבוּל ׳וְנִשׁ Numbers 21:15 leans to (upon) the border of Moab; lean (figurative = trust) upon, עַל person king Isaiah 10:20; Ezekiel 29:7; 2Chronicles 16:7; ׳עַליֿ Micah 3:11; Isaiah 10:20; 2Chronicles 13:18; 2 Chronicles 14:10; 2 Chronicles 16:7,8; בֵּלֹהָיו Isaiah 50:10; absolute Job 24:23; עַלסֿוּסִים Isaiah 31:1; על with abstract noun Isaiah 30:12; Proverbs 3:5.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The verb translated variously as “lean,” “rest,” “rely,” or “trust” appears twenty-two times in the Old Testament. Whether describing a literal physical posture or a spiritual disposition, the word always pictures something—or someone—receiving weight it must bear. The contexts fall naturally into two broad categories: tangible support and figurative reliance. Within these, Scripture contrasts the sure support found in the LORD with the unreliability of every other prop.

Literal Physical Support

1. Personal posture. Abraham’s guests are invited to “rest under the tree” (Genesis 18:4). Saul is found “leaning on his spear” before his death (2 Samuel 1:6). Samson asks to “feel the pillars on which the house rests, so that I can lean against them” (Judges 16:26).

2. Architectural or topographical support. The ancient Song of the Wars of the LORD speaks of ravines that “lean toward the border of Moab” (Numbers 21:15). Job notes the fragility of a spider’s web that a wicked man “leans on” for safety (Job 8:15).

3. Social custom. Soldiers and officials physically support their superiors: Naaman’s master “leans on my arm” in the temple of Rimmon (2 Kings 5:18); an officer on whom the king “leaned” mocks Elisha (2 Kings 7:2) and later dies at the city gate (2 Kings 7:17).

These literal scenes prepare the reader to understand the spiritual use of the verb: whatever carries weight must be strong enough to hold it.

Reliance upon God Commended

The Chronicler repeatedly highlights victories that flowed from depending on the LORD:

• “The children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 13:18).
• Asa prayed, “Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You” (2 Chronicles 14:11).
• Hanani reminds Asa of an earlier triumph: “Because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand” (2 Chronicles 16:8).

Proverbs sets the principle in wisdom form: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Isaiah foresees a purified remnant: “The survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD” (Isaiah 10:20). Ultimately, the prophet exhorts the faithful: “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and lean on his God” (Isaiah 50:10).

Reliance upon Human Power Condemned

Asa’s later years illustrate misplaced trust: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped your hand” (2 Chronicles 16:7). The prophets widen the warning:

• Political alliances: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses… They do not seek the LORD” (Isaiah 31:1).
• Oppressive structures: “You have trusted in oppression and relied on deceit” (Isaiah 30:12).
• Religious presumption: “Her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, saying, ‘Is not the LORD among us?’” (Micah 3:11).
• Unstable nations: Israel leaned on Egypt, “but when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their backs strain” (Ezekiel 29:7).

Job’s satire captures the folly: “He leans on his web, but it gives way” (Job 8:15). When the object of trust is weak, the one leaning is exposed.

Pattern in Salvation History

From patriarchs to prophets, the biblical narrative reveals a consistent theme: victory, safety, and covenant blessing come only when the people place their weight on the LORD. Every alternative support—spears, pillars, chariots, foreign kings, wealth, or deceptive religion—ultimately collapses. This pattern culminates in the call of the gospel, where saving faith is likewise portrayed as resting wholly on the finished work of God’s appointed Redeemer.

Ministry Application

1. Preaching. The word furnishes vivid sermon material. Physical scenes (Saul on his spear, Samson on the pillars) illustrate unseen spiritual realities. Exhortations can move naturally from “What are you leaning on?” to “Christ alone bears the full weight of sin and need.”

2. Pastoral care. Counsel grounded in Proverbs 3:5 resists the modern temptation to rely on human insight or technique. Believers are urged to transfer dependence from their own understanding to the wisdom and sufficiency of God.

3. Worship and prayer. Corporate prayers may echo Asa’s: “Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You.” Such language keeps the congregation conscious of their absolute dependence on divine grace.

4. Discipleship. Teaching should expose false props—political power, financial security, cultural approval—and train disciples to “lean on their God” even when walking in darkness (Isaiah 50:10).

Conclusion

The recurring verb paints a consistent biblical portrait: life requires something strong enough to bear our weight. Scripture commends and commands one reliable support—Yahweh Himself. All who “lean on” Him find Him faithful; all other supports, sooner or later, give way.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּהִשָּׁ֨עֶנְךָ֜ בהשענך וְאֶשָּׁעֵ֖ן וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן וְיִשָּׁעֵ֖ן וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן וְנִשְׁעַ֗ן וַתִּֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ וּבְהִֽשָּׁעֲנָ֤ם וּבְהִשָּֽׁעֶנְךָ֥ ואשען ובהשענך ובהשענם והשענו וישען ונשען ותשענו יִשָּׁעֵ֑נוּ יִשָּׁעֵ֣ן יִשָּׁעֵ֣נוּ ישען ישענו לְהִשָּׁעֵ֖ן להשען נִשְׁעֲנ֔וּ נִשְׁעַ֔נּוּ נִשְׁעַ֙נְתָּ֙ נִשְׁעָ֣ן נִשְׁעָ֤ן נִשְׁעָ֨ן נשען נשענו נשענת תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃ תשען׃ bə·hiš·šā·‘en·ḵā behishShaencha bəhiššā‘enḵā lə·hiš·šā·‘ên lehishshaEn ləhiššā‘ên niš‘ān niš‘annū niš‘antā niš‘ănū niš·‘ă·nū niš·‘ān niš·‘an·nū niš·‘an·tā nishAn nishAnnu nishAnta nishaNu tiš·šā·‘ên tishshaEn tiššā‘ên ū·ḇə·hiš·šā·‘ă·nām ū·ḇə·hiš·šā·‘en·ḵā ūḇəhiššā‘ănām ūḇəhiššā‘enḵā uvehishshaaNam uvehishshaenCha vattishshaaNu veeshshaEn vehishshaaNu venishAn veyishshaEn wat·tiš·šā·‘ă·nū wattiššā‘ănū wə’eššā‘ên wə·’eš·šā·‘ên wə·hiš·šā·‘ă·nū wə·niš·‘an wə·yiš·šā·‘ên wəhiššā‘ănū wəniš‘an wəyiššā‘ên yiš·šā·‘ê·nū yiš·šā·‘ên yishshaEn yishshaEnu yiššā‘ên yiššā‘ênū
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 18:4
HEB: וְרַחֲצ֖וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ׃
NAS: your feet, and rest yourselves under
KJV: your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
INT: and wash your feet and rest under the tree

Numbers 21:15
HEB: לְשֶׁ֣בֶת עָ֑ר וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן לִגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב׃
NAS: of Ar, And leans to the border
KJV: of Ar, and lieth upon the border
INT: to the dwelling of Ar and leans to the border of Moab

Judges 16:26
HEB: נָכ֣וֹן עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאֶשָּׁעֵ֖ן עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
NAS: rests, that I may lean against
KJV: standeth, that I may lean upon them.
INT: rests against may lean against

2 Samuel 1:6
HEB: וְהִנֵּ֥ה שָׁא֖וּל נִשְׁעָ֣ן עַל־ חֲנִית֑וֹ
NAS: Saul was leaning on his spear.
KJV: behold, Saul leaned upon his spear;
INT: and behold Saul was leaning on his spear

2 Kings 5:18
HEB: שָׁ֜מָּה וְה֣וּא ׀ נִשְׁעָ֣ן עַל־ יָדִ֗י
NAS: there, and he leans on my hand
KJV: to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand,
INT: there and he leans on my hand

2 Kings 7:2
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ לַמֶּלֶךְ֩ נִשְׁעָ֨ן עַל־ יָד֜וֹ
NAS: the king was leaning answered
KJV: the king leaned answered
INT: whose the royal was leaning and hand

2 Kings 7:17
HEB: הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־ נִשְׁעָ֤ן עַל־ יָדוֹ֙
NAS: on whose hand he leaned to have charge
KJV: on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate:
INT: the royal whose leaned to have hand

2 Chronicles 13:18
HEB: יְהוּדָ֔ה כִּ֣י נִשְׁעֲנ֔וּ עַל־ יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: because they trusted in the LORD,
KJV: prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD
INT: of Judah because trusted in the LORD

2 Chronicles 14:11
HEB: כִּֽי־ עָלֶ֣יךָ נִשְׁעַ֔נּוּ וּבְשִׁמְךָ֣ בָ֔אנוּ
NAS: our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name
KJV: our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name
INT: for against trust your name have come

2 Chronicles 16:7
HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו בְּהִשָּׁ֨עֶנְךָ֜ עַל־ מֶ֤לֶךְ
NAS: and said to him, Because you have relied on the king
KJV: and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king
INT: and said to him have relied on the king

2 Chronicles 16:7
HEB: אֲרָם֙ וְלֹ֤א נִשְׁעַ֙נְתָּ֙ עַל־ יְהוָ֣ה
NAS: of Aram and have not relied on the LORD
KJV: of Syria, and not relied on the LORD
INT: of Aram not relied and God

2 Chronicles 16:8
HEB: לְהַרְבֵּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וּבְהִשָּֽׁעֶנְךָ֥ עַל־ יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD,
KJV: and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD,
INT: many very lean on the LORD

Job 8:15
HEB: יִשָּׁעֵ֣ן עַל־ בֵּ֭יתוֹ
NAS: He trusts in his house,
KJV: He shall lean upon his house,
INT: trusts in his house

Job 24:23
HEB: ל֣וֹ לָ֭בֶטַח וְיִשָּׁעֵ֑ן וְ֝עֵינֵ֗יהוּ עַל־
NAS: them with security, and they are supported; And His eyes
KJV: him [to be] in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes
INT: provides security are supported and his eyes are on

Proverbs 3:5
HEB: בִּֽ֝ינָתְךָ֗ אַל־ תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃
NAS: your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
KJV: with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
INT: understanding not lean

Isaiah 10:20
HEB: בֵּֽית־ יַעֲקֹ֔ב לְהִשָּׁעֵ֖ן עַל־ מַכֵּ֑הוּ
NAS: again rely on the one who struck
KJV: shall no more again stay upon him that smote
INT: of the house of Jacob rely on struck

Isaiah 10:20
HEB: עַל־ מַכֵּ֑הוּ וְנִשְׁעַ֗ן עַל־ יְהוָ֛ה
NAS: them, but will truly rely on the LORD,
KJV: upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD,
INT: on struck rely on the LORD

Isaiah 30:12
HEB: בְּעֹ֣שֶׁק וְנָל֔וֹז וַתִּֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ עָלָֽיו׃
NAS: and guile, and have relied on them,
KJV: and perverseness, and stay thereon:
INT: oppression and guile relied and

Isaiah 31:1
HEB: עַל־ סוּסִ֖ים יִשָּׁעֵ֑נוּ וַיִּבְטְח֨וּ עַל־
NAS: for help [And] rely on horses,
KJV: for help; and stay on horses,
INT: on horses rely and trust in

Isaiah 50:10
HEB: בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה וְיִשָּׁעֵ֖ן בֵּאלֹהָֽיו׃
NAS: of the LORD and rely on his God.
KJV: of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
INT: the name of the LORD and rely his God

Ezekiel 29:7
HEB: כָּל־ כָּתֵ֑ף וּבְהִֽשָּׁעֲנָ֤ם עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ תִּשָּׁבֵ֔ר
NAS: their hands; And when they leaned on you, You broke
KJV: all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest,
INT: all their hands leaned on broke

Micah 3:11
HEB: וְעַל־ יְהוָה֙ יִשָּׁעֵ֣נוּ לֵאמֹ֔ר הֲל֤וֹא
NAS: for money. Yet they lean on the LORD
KJV: for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD,
INT: on the LORD lean saying is not

22 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8172
22 Occurrences


bə·hiš·šā·‘en·ḵā — 1 Occ.
lə·hiš·šā·‘ên — 1 Occ.
niš·‘ān — 4 Occ.
niš·‘an·nū — 1 Occ.
niš·‘an·tā — 1 Occ.
niš·‘ă·nū — 1 Occ.
tiš·šā·‘ên — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·hiš·šā·‘ă·nām — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·hiš·šā·‘en·ḵā — 1 Occ.
wat·tiš·šā·‘ă·nū — 1 Occ.
wə·’eš·šā·‘ên — 1 Occ.
wə·hiš·šā·‘ă·nū — 1 Occ.
wə·niš·‘an — 2 Occ.
wə·yiš·šā·‘ên — 2 Occ.
yiš·šā·‘ên — 1 Occ.
yiš·šā·‘ê·nū — 2 Occ.

8171
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