8142. shenah or shena
Lexical Summary
shenah or shena: Sleep

Original Word: שֵׁנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: shehah
Pronunciation: shay-naw'
Phonetic Spelling: (shay-naw')
KJV: sleep
NASB: sleep, asleep
Word Origin: [from H3462 (יָשֵׁן - sleep)]

1. sleep

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sleep

Or shena (Psa. 127:2) {shay-naw'}; from yashen; sleep -- sleep.

see HEBREW yashen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from yashen
Definition
sleep
NASB Translation
asleep (1), sleep (22), sleep* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שְׁנָת

noun feminine sleepשֵׁנָה Psalm 90:5 3t.; שֵׁנָא Psalm 127:2, שְׁנָת Psalm 132:4 (Ges§ 80 g, h.); construct שְׁנַת Jeremiah 51:39 3t.; שְׁנָתִי Genesis 31:40; Jeremiah 31:26, etc.; plural absolute שֵׁנוֺת Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33; — sleep Genesis 28:16 (J), Judges 16:14,20; Proverbs 3:24; Proverbs 6:9; Proverbs 20:13; Ecclesiastes 5:11; Jeremiah 31:26; Zechariah 4:1; Proverbs 6:4 ("" תְּנוּמָה); מְעַט שֵׁנוֺת מְעַט תְּנוּמוֺת Proverbs 6:10 = Proverbs 24:33 (these two of sluggard אִישׁ עָצֵל; see also Proverbs 6:9; Proverbs 20:13); note also וַתִּדּד שְׁנָתִי מֵעֵינָ֑י Genesis 31:40 (E) and my sleep fled from mine eyes; נָ֑דֲדָה שְׁנַת הַמֶּלֶךְ Esther 6:1; וְנִגְזְלָה שְׁנָתָם Proverbs 4:16; וּשְׁנָתוֺ נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו Daniel 2:1; שֵׁנָה בְּעֵינָיו אֵינֶנּוּ רֹאֵה Ecclesiastes 8:16; אִם אֶתֵּן שְׁנָת לְעֵינָ֑י Psalm 132:4 (all of lack of sleep); יִתֵּן לִידִידוֺ שֵׁנָ֑א Psalm 127:2 = he giveth to his beloved in sleep, compare Ges§ 118, 3; of sleep of death (so Arabic Dozyii. 806) Job 14:12; Psalm 90:5 (compare De Che); so, as accusative of congnate meaning with verb, Psalm 76:6; Jeremiah 51:39,57 (in these two שְׁנַתעֿוֺלָם).

יֶשְׁנוֺ see יֵשׁ.

Topical Lexicon
שֵׁנָה

Overview

שֵׁנָה designates natural sleep, yet Scripture employs it to illustrate divine revelation, covenant blessing, moral warning, and even death. The twenty-three occurrences span Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, Prophets and Exile narratives, underscoring its theological breadth.

Ordinary Rest and Refreshment

Sleep is presented as a good, God-given rhythm of life. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24). The labourer “sleeps…sweet” regardless of his menu (Ecclesiastes 5:12), and the psalmist affirms, “He gives sleep to His beloved” (Psalm 127:2). Jeremiah’s report, “My sleep had been pleasant to me” (Jeremiah 31:26), follows a vision of promised restoration, implying that enjoyable sleep accompanies covenant hope.

Sleep and Divine Revelation

Sleep becomes a threshold for encounter with the LORD. Jacob awakens at Bethel exclaiming, “Surely the LORD is in this place” (Genesis 28:16). Nebuchadnezzar’s lost sleep (Daniel 2:1) and Zechariah’s angelic awakening (Zechariah 4:1) both precede prophetic disclosure. Thus, God can suspend or bestow sleep to call attention to His purposes.

Sleep Withheld for Providential Intervention

Sleeplessness in Esther 6:1 propels the narrative of Israel’s preservation: “That night sleep escaped the king.” Likewise, Jacob’s toil in harsh conditions is underscored by, “sleep fled from my eyes” (Genesis 31:40). The loss of sleep serves as an instrument in the LORD’s redemptive strategy.

Vulnerability and Moral Danger

Samson’s defeats are framed by sleep (Judges 16:14, 20), warning that complacency in covenant obligation invites loss of strength. Wisdom texts press the point: “Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor” (Proverbs 20:13). Repeated refrains—“A little sleep, a little slumber…” (Proverbs 6:10; 24:33)—make lethargy a metaphor for moral inertia.

Sleep as Metaphor for Death and Judgment

Job declares concerning mankind, “He will not…be roused from his sleep” (Job 14:12). Psalm 76:5 pictures defeated warriors who “have slipped into sleep.” The climactic warnings in Jeremiah 51:39, 57 announce a “perpetual sleep” for Babylon’s leaders, signalling irrevocable judgment. Sleep in these contexts is not soul-annihilation but a temporary state awaiting resurrection or final reckoning, cohering with the wider biblical doctrine of bodily resurrection.

Covenant Blessing versus Covenant Curse

The Mosaic and prophetic corpus sets restful sleep alongside covenant fidelity, whereas restless nights attend disobedience, oppression, or looming judgment. Psalm 90:5’s fleeting human lifespan—“You whisk them away in their sleep”—contrasts God’s eternal constancy, urging reverent obedience.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Encouragement: Believers may receive sleep as a tangible token of God’s care (Psalm 127:2) and need not fear the night (Proverbs 3:24).
2. Watchfulness: Leaders must avoid Samson-like complacency; spiritual vigilance guards the flock.
3. Stewardship of Work: Proverbs balances diligence with rest, instructing godly labor that trusts divine provision.
4. Eschatological Hope: Death’s “sleep” is temporary; the resurrection promises awakening to everlasting life with the Lord.
5. Spiritual Sensitivity: Sleepless stirrings can signal divine prompting for intercession, planning, or repentance.

Summary

שֵׁנָה portrays more than biological rest. It is a sphere where God speaks, tests, blesses, or judges. Properly received, sleep becomes a sacrament of dependence on the Lord; improperly indulged, it illustrates sloth and spiritual blindness. In life, ministry, and eschatology, Scripture calls believers to value sleep as God’s gift while remaining ever awake to His voice.

Forms and Transliterations
וּשְׁנָת֖וֹ וּשְׁנָתִ֖י ושנתו ושנתי מִשְּׁנָת֔וֹ מִשְּׁנָת֗וֹ מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ׃ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם׃ מִשְּׁנָתֽוֹ׃ מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒ משנתו משנתו׃ משנתך׃ משנתם׃ נה נות נתם שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם שְׁנַ֣ת שְׁנַת־ שְׁנָתִ֖י שְׁנָתֶֽךָ׃ שְׁנָתָ֑ם שֵׁ֭נָה שֵׁ֭נוֹת שֵׁנָ֕ה שֵׁנָ֣ה שֵׁנָֽא׃ שנא׃ שנה שנת שנת־ שנתי שנתך׃ שנתם miš·šə·nā·ṯām miš·šə·nā·ṯe·ḵā miš·šə·nā·ṯōw mishshenaTam mishshenaTecha mishshenaTo miššənāṯām miššənāṯeḵā miššənāṯōw nā·ṯām nah nāh naTam nāṯām nō·wṯ not nōwṯ šê·nā šə·nā·ṯām šə·nā·ṯe·ḵā šə·nā·ṯî šê·nāh šə·naṯ šə·naṯ- šênā šênāh šənaṯ šənaṯ- šənāṯām šənāṯeḵā šənāṯî sheNa sheNah sheNat shenaTam shenaTecha shenaTi ū·šə·nā·ṯî ū·šə·nā·ṯōw ūšənāṯî ūšənāṯōw ushenaTi ushenaTo
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 28:16
HEB: וַיִּיקַ֣ץ יַעֲקֹב֮ מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָכֵן֙
NAS: awoke from his sleep and said,
KJV: awaked out of his sleep, and he said,
INT: awoke Jacob his sleep and said Surely

Genesis 31:40
HEB: בַּלָּ֑יְלָה וַתִּדַּ֥ד שְׁנָתִ֖י מֵֽעֵינָֽי׃
NAS: by night, and my sleep fled
KJV: by night; and my sleep departed
INT: night fled and my sleep my eyes

Judges 16:14
HEB: שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיִּיקַץ֙ מִשְּׁנָת֔וֹ וַיִּסַּ֛ע אֶת־
NAS: But he awoke from his sleep and pulled
KJV: And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away
INT: Samson awoke his sleep and pulled out

Judges 16:20
HEB: שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיִּקַ֣ץ מִשְּׁנָת֗וֹ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵצֵ֞א
NAS: And he awoke from his sleep and said,
KJV: And he awoke out of his sleep, and said,
INT: Samson awoke his sleep and said will go

Esther 6:1
HEB: הַה֔וּא נָדְדָ֖ה שְׁנַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
NAS: could not sleep so he gave an order
KJV: the king sleep, and he commanded
INT: he could sleep the king gave

Job 14:12
HEB: וְלֹֽא־ יֵ֝עֹ֗רוּ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם׃
NAS: nor be aroused out of his sleep.
KJV: nor be raised out of their sleep.
INT: nor be aroused of his sleep

Psalm 76:5
HEB: לֵ֭ב נָמ֣וּ שְׁנָתָ֑ם וְלֹא־ מָצְא֖וּ
NAS: They sank into sleep; And none
KJV: they have slept their sleep: and none of the men
INT: care for sank sleep could use

Psalm 90:5
HEB: זְ֭רַמְתָּם שֵׁנָ֣ה יִהְי֑וּ בַּ֝בֹּ֗קֶר
NAS: they fall asleep; In the morning
KJV: Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning
INT: have swept asleep fall the morning

Psalm 127:2
HEB: יִתֵּ֖ן לִֽידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃
NAS: to His beloved [even in his] sleep.
KJV: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.
INT: gives to his beloved sleep

Proverbs 3:24
HEB: וְ֝שָׁכַבְתָּ֗ וְֽעָרְבָ֥ה שְׁנָתֶֽךָ׃
NAS: When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
KJV: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
INT: down will be sweet your sleep

Proverbs 4:16
HEB: יָרֵ֑עוּ וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם אִם־ לֹ֥א
NAS: And they are robbed of sleep unless
KJV: not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away,
INT: do are robbed of sleep for cannot

Proverbs 6:4
HEB: אַל־ תִּתֵּ֣ן שֵׁנָ֣ה לְעֵינֶ֑יךָ וּ֝תְנוּמָ֗ה
NAS: Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor
KJV: Give not sleep to thine eyes,
INT: Nor Give sleep to your eyes slumber

Proverbs 6:9
HEB: מָ֝תַ֗י תָּק֥וּם מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ׃
NAS: When will you arise from your sleep?
KJV: when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
INT: How arise sleep

Proverbs 6:10
HEB: מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת
NAS: A little sleep, a little slumber,
KJV: [Yet] a little sleep, a little
INT: A little sleep A little slumber

Proverbs 20:13
HEB: אַל־ תֶּֽאֱהַ֣ב שֵׁ֭נָה פֶּן־ תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ
NAS: Do not love sleep, or
KJV: Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;
INT: not love sleep or will become

Proverbs 24:33
HEB: מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת
NAS: A little sleep, a little slumber,
KJV: [Yet] a little sleep, a little
INT: A little sleep A little slumber

Ecclesiastes 5:12
HEB: מְתוּקָה֙ שְׁנַ֣ת הָעֹבֵ֔ד אִם־
NAS: The sleep of the working
KJV: The sleep of a labouring man
INT: is pleasant the sleep of the working whether

Ecclesiastes 8:16
HEB: בַּיּוֹם֙ וּבַלַּ֔יְלָה שֵׁנָ֕ה בְּעֵינָ֖יו אֵינֶ֥נּוּ
KJV: nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
INT: day night sleep affliction one

Jeremiah 31:26
HEB: הֱקִיצֹ֣תִי וָאֶרְאֶ֑ה וּשְׁנָתִ֖י עָ֥רְבָה לִּֽי׃
NAS: and looked, and my sleep was pleasant
KJV: and beheld; and my sleep was sweet
INT: awaked and looked and my sleep was pleasant

Jeremiah 51:39
HEB: יַעֲלֹ֔זוּ וְיָשְׁנ֥וּ שְׁנַת־ עוֹלָ֖ם וְלֹ֣א
NAS: a perpetual sleep And not wake
KJV: a perpetual sleep, and not wake,
INT: may become and may sleep sleep A perpetual and not

Jeremiah 51:57
HEB: וְגִבּוֹרֶ֔יהָ וְיָשְׁנ֥וּ שְׁנַת־ עוֹלָ֖ם וְלֹ֣א
NAS: a perpetual sleep and not wake
KJV: a perpetual sleep, and not wake,
INT: mighty may sleep sleep A perpetual and not

Daniel 2:1
HEB: וַתִּתְפָּ֣עֶם רוּח֔וֹ וּשְׁנָת֖וֹ נִהְיְתָ֥ה עָלָֽיו׃
NAS: was troubled and his sleep left
KJV: was troubled, and his sleep brake
INT: was troubled and his spirit and his sleep left and

Zechariah 4:1
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ יֵע֥וֹר מִשְּׁנָתֽוֹ׃
NAS: who is awakened from his sleep.
KJV: that is wakened out of his sleep,
INT: who is awakened his sleep

23 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8142
23 Occurrences


miš·šə·nā·ṯām — 1 Occ.
miš·šə·nā·ṯe·ḵā — 1 Occ.
miš·šə·nā·ṯōw — 4 Occ.
nāh — 1 Occ.
nā·ṯām — 1 Occ.
nō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
šê·nā — 1 Occ.
šê·nāh — 3 Occ.
šə·naṯ — 4 Occ.
šə·nā·ṯām — 1 Occ.
šə·nā·ṯe·ḵā — 1 Occ.
šə·nā·ṯî — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·nā·ṯî — 1 Occ.
ū·šə·nā·ṯōw — 1 Occ.

8141
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