7934. shaken
Lexical Summary
shaken: Neighbor, inhabitant, dweller

Original Word: שָׁכֵן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: shaken
Pronunciation: shah-KEN
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kane')
KJV: inhabitant, neighbour, nigh
NASB: neighbors, neighbor, inhabitants, neighbor women, resident
Word Origin: [from H7931 (שָׁכַן - dwell)]

1. a resident
2. by extension, a fellow-citizen

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
inhabitant, neighbor, nigh

From shakan; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen -- inhabitant, neighbour, nigh.

see HEBREW shakan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from shakan
Definition
inhabitant, neighbor
NASB Translation
inhabitants (1), neighbor (4), neighbor women (1), neighbors (13), resident (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שָׁכֵן adjective inhabitant, neighbour; — ׳שׁ Isaiah 33:24 +; construct שְׁכַן Hosea 10:5; suffix שְׁכֵנוֺ Exodus 12:4; שְׁכֵָנ֑יִכְי֯ 2 Kings 4:3 etc.; feminine suffix שְׁכֶנְתָּהּ Exodus 3:22; feminine plural שְׁכֵנוֺת Ruth 4:17; —

1 inhabitant, Isaiah 33:24; Hosea 10:5.

2 neighbour: woman Exodus 3:22 (E); plural Ruth 4:7; man Exodus 12:4 (P) Jeremiah 6:21; Proverbs 27:10, plural 2 Kings 4:3; of places Deuteronomy 1:7; nations, to Judah Ezekiel 16:26; Psalm 79:12; חֶרְמָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵי(נוּׅ Psalm 44:14; Psalm 79:4, compare Psalm 31:2; Psalm 89:42; ׳מָדוֺן לשׁ Psalm 80:7; to Edom Jeremiah 49:10; to Sodom Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 50:40; to ׳י Jeremiah 11:4 (because to his people).

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea of Shared Dwelling and Proximity

שָׁכֵן (shaken) arises from the broader family of verbs that express “to dwell” or “settle.” Thus a שָׁכֵן is not only the person next door but anyone whose life‐space overlaps mine in daily experience. The word can denote a literal resident of a town (Isaiah 33:24) or the nations bordering Israel (Deuteronomy 1:7), yet its theological weight grows out of the covenant expectation that life lived in proximity is life lived under Yahweh’s gaze.

Neighbors in Ordinary Covenant Life

1. Mutual Provision – In the first appearance, Hebrew women are told, “Every woman is to ask her neighbor for articles of silver and gold” (Exodus 3:22; cf. Exodus 12:4). Deliverance begins with neighborly generosity that equips a pilgrim people for worship.
2. Shared Resources – Elisha commands the widow, “Borrow jars from all your neighbors” (2 Kings 4:3). The miracle of oil presupposes a community ready to lend.
3. Celebratory Solidarity – The women of Bethlehem rejoice with Naomi: “The neighbor women said, ‘A son has been born to Naomi’” (Ruth 4:17). Covenant blessing becomes communal joy.

Social and Relational Tensions

The Psalter repeatedly laments the breakdown of neighborly honor:
• “I am disparaged—especially by my neighbors” (Psalm 31:11).
• “You have made us a reproach to our neighbors” (Psalm 44:13; cf. 79:4, 12; 80:6; 89:41).

Broken neighborliness functions as a barometer of national sin and divine displeasure.

Wisdom’s Counsel

Proverbs 27:10 urges loyalty that transcends blood ties: “Better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” Healthy community, says wisdom, is cultivated before calamity strikes.

Prophetic Indictments and Judgment on Unfaithful Neighbors

Jeremiah widens the term to hostile peoples: “All My wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance… I will uproot” (Jeremiah 12:14; cf. 49:10, 18; 50:40). Ezekiel echoes the charge when Jerusalem “multiplied your acts of prostitution with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors” (Ezekiel 16:26). The prophets insist that nations living “next door” to covenant land are accountable to covenant standards.

Promise of Restoration

Conversely, Isaiah foresees a day when “no resident of Zion will say, ‘I am sick’” (Isaiah 33:24). The healed inhabitant embodies the shalom that will yet radiate from the holy city to every surrounding neighbor.

Foreshadowing New-Covenant Ethics

By rooting the idea of neighbor in shared dwelling, שָׁכֵן prepares the soil for the Torah’s summons, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), and for Jesus’ expansion of that command in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The term therefore bridges Old-Testament community life and New-Testament ecclesiology, where believers are “members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

Ministry Implications Today

• Foster tangible generosity that mirrors Exodus 3:22—meeting needs equips others for worship.
• Nurture relationships before crisis arrives; Proverbs 27:10 commends preventive fellowship.
• Lament and repent where the church has become “a reproach to our neighbors” (Psalm 79:4).
• Advocate for justice among geopolitical “neighbors,” remembering Jeremiah’s warnings.
• Pursue holistic evangelism: physical healing and forgiveness together fulfill Isaiah 33:24.

שָׁכֵן thus calls every generation to embody covenant faithfulness in the places where God has planted us, until the day when all redeemed neighbors dwell securely under the righteous reign of the Messiah.

Forms and Transliterations
הַשְּׁכֵנ֥וֹת השכנות וְלִשֲׁכֵנַ֨י ׀ וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ וּשְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ וּשְׁכֵנָ֖יו ולשכני ושכנו ושכניה ושכניו לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃ לשכניו׃ לשכנינו מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙ משכנתה שְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ שְׁכֵנַ֖יִךְ שְׁכֵנַי֙ שְׁכֵנָיו֒ שְׁכַ֣ן שָׁכֵ֖ן שָׁכֵ֥ן שְׁכֵנָ֑יִךְ שכן שכני שכניה שכניו שכניך haš·šə·ḵê·nō·wṯ hashshecheNot haššəḵênōwṯ liš·ḵê·nāw liš·ḵê·nê·nū lishcheNav lishcheNeinu lišḵênāw lišḵênênū miš·šə·ḵen·tāh mishshechenTah miššəḵentāh šā·ḵên šāḵên šə·ḵan šə·ḵê·na·yiḵ šə·ḵê·nā·yiḵ šə·ḵê·nāw šə·ḵê·nay šə·ḵê·ne·hā šəḵan šəḵênāw šəḵênay šəḵênayiḵ šəḵênāyiḵ šəḵênehā shaChen sheChan shecheNai shecheNav shecheNayich shecheNeiha ū·šə·ḵê·nāw ū·šə·ḵê·ne·hā ū·šə·ḵê·nōw ūšəḵênāw ūšəḵênehā ūšəḵênōw ushecheNav ushecheNeiha ushecheNo velishacheNai wə·li·šă·ḵê·nay wəlišăḵênay
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 3:22
HEB: וְשָׁאֲלָ֨ה אִשָּׁ֤ה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙ וּמִגָּרַ֣ת בֵּיתָ֔הּ
NAS: shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives
KJV: shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth
INT: shall ask woman of her neighbor lives her house

Exodus 12:4
HEB: וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־
NAS: for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest
KJV: for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next
INT: take he and his neighbor nearest to his

Deuteronomy 1:7
HEB: וְאֶל־ כָּל־ שְׁכֵנָיו֒ בָּעֲרָבָ֥ה בָהָ֛ר
NAS: and to all their neighbors in the Arabah,
KJV: of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the plain,
INT: and to all their neighbors the Arabah country

Ruth 4:17
HEB: וַתִּקְרֶאנָה֩ ל֨וֹ הַשְּׁכֵנ֥וֹת שֵׁם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר
NAS: The neighbor women gave him a name,
KJV: And the women her neighbours gave
INT: gave the neighbor A name saying

2 Kings 4:3
HEB: [שִׁכְנָכֵי כ] (שְׁכֵנָ֑יִךְ ק) כֵּלִ֥ים
NAS: for yourself from all your neighbors, [even] empty
KJV: abroad of all thy neighbours, [even] empty
INT: large all inhabitant vessels empty

Psalm 31:11
HEB: הָיִ֪יתִי חֶרְפָּ֡ה וְלִשֲׁכֵנַ֨י ׀ מְאֹד֮ וּפַ֪חַד
NAS: Especially to my neighbors, And an object of dread
KJV: but especially among my neighbours, and a fear
INT: have become A reproach to my neighbors Especially and an object

Psalm 44:13
HEB: תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס
NAS: us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing
KJV: us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn
INT: make A reproach to our neighbors A scoffing derision

Psalm 79:4
HEB: הָיִ֣ינוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס
NAS: a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing
KJV: We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn
INT: have A reproach to our neighbors A scoffing and derision

Psalm 79:12
HEB: וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־
NAS: And return to our neighbors sevenfold
KJV: And render unto our neighbours sevenfold
INT: and return to our neighbors sevenfold into

Psalm 80:6
HEB: תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ מָ֭דוֹן לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ וְ֝אֹיְבֵ֗ינוּ יִלְעֲגוּ־
NAS: us an object of contention to our neighbors, And our enemies
KJV: us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies
INT: make an object to our neighbors and our enemies laugh

Psalm 89:41
HEB: הָיָ֥ה חֶ֝רְפָּ֗ה לִשְׁכֵנָֽיו׃
NAS: a reproach to his neighbors.
KJV: him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
INT: has A reproach to his neighbors

Proverbs 27:10
HEB: אֵידֶ֑ךָ ט֥וֹב שָׁכֵ֥ן קָ֝ר֗וֹב מֵאָ֥ח
NAS: Better is a neighbor who is near
KJV: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near
INT: of your calamity Better neighbor is near A brother

Isaiah 33:24
HEB: וּבַל־ יֹאמַ֥ר שָׁכֵ֖ן חָלִ֑יתִי הָעָ֛ם
NAS: And no resident will say, I am sick;
KJV: And the inhabitant shall not say,
INT: and no will say resident I am sick the people

Jeremiah 6:21
HEB: וּבָנִ֥ים יַחְדָּ֛ו שָׁכֵ֥ן וְרֵע֖וֹ [יֹאבֵדוּ
NAS: together; Neighbor and friend
KJV: shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend
INT: and sons together Neighbor and friend break

Jeremiah 12:14
HEB: עַל־ כָּל־ שְׁכֵנַי֙ הָֽרָעִ֔ים הַנֹּֽגְעִים֙
NAS: My wicked neighbors who strike
KJV: against all mine evil neighbours, that touch
INT: concerning all neighbors my wicked strike

Jeremiah 49:10
HEB: זַרְע֛וֹ וְאֶחָ֥יו וּשְׁכֵנָ֖יו וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃
NAS: along with his relatives And his neighbors, and he is no more.
KJV: and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he [is] not.
INT: his offspring his relatives and his neighbors is no

Jeremiah 49:18
HEB: סְדֹ֧ם וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה וּשְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה
NAS: and Gomorrah with its neighbors, says
KJV: and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith
INT: of Sodom and Gomorrah neighbors says the LORD

Jeremiah 50:40
HEB: עֲמֹרָ֛ה וְאֶת־ שְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ נְאֻם־ יְהוָ֑ה
NAS: And Gomorrah with its neighbors, declares
KJV: and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith
INT: Sodom and Gomorrah neighbors declares the LORD

Ezekiel 16:26
HEB: בְּנֵֽי־ מִצְרַ֛יִם שְׁכֵנַ֖יִךְ גִּדְלֵ֣י בָשָׂ֑ר
NAS: your lustful neighbors, and multiplied
KJV: with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great
INT: with the Egyptians neighbors great of flesh

Hosea 10:5
HEB: אָ֔וֶן יָג֖וּרוּ שְׁכַ֣ן שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן כִּי־
NAS: The inhabitants of Samaria will fear
KJV: The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear
INT: of Beth-aven will fear the inhabitants of Samaria Indeed

20 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7934
20 Occurrences


haš·šə·ḵê·nō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
liš·ḵê·nāw — 1 Occ.
liš·ḵê·nê·nū — 4 Occ.
miš·šə·ḵen·tāh — 1 Occ.
šā·ḵên — 3 Occ.
šə·ḵan — 1 Occ.
šə·ḵê·nay — 1 Occ.
šə·ḵê·nāw — 1 Occ.
šə·ḵê·nā·yiḵ — 2 Occ.
šə·ḵê·ne·hā — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·ḵê·nāw — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·ḵê·ne·hā — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·ḵê·nōw — 1 Occ.
wə·li·šă·ḵê·nay — 1 Occ.

7933
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