← H7643 H7645 →

שֶׁבְנָא

𐤔𐤁𐤍𐤀

Shevena

H7644 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Shebnâʼ: A proper name referring to an individual known primarily as a royal steward or high official in the monarchic period of Jerusalem. The word itself functions as a personal name, not a common noun, with no independent lexical usage outside of its role as a name. In biblical references, Shebnâʼ is identified among the senior court officials, notably under King Hezekiah. There is no evidence for a substantive meaning apart from its use as a proper name. The proposed meaning 'growth' is speculative and not lexically supported beyond traditional etymology.

Semantic Range

a personal name, specifically the royal steward or high official Shebnâʼ during the reign of Hezekiah; no common noun usage

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. The form שֶׁבְנָא (Shebnâʼ) does not occur outside personal names, and its connection to an unused root *שׁ־ב־נ meaning 'to grow' is hypothetical and not attested anywhere in biblical Hebrew. The construction of the name appears consonant with other biblical personal names often ending in -ָא (-āʾ), but its precise derivation remains unknown. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, Shebnâʼ is a distinct personal name borne by a palace official during the reign of Hezekiah. The narrative presents Shebnâʼ as a major administrative figure, sometimes titled 'he who is over the house,' a role equivalent to high steward or palace administrator. In Isaiah 22, Shebnâʼ is described as being displaced from his position due to pride or improper conduct. The name is not found as a common noun and does not occur after the monarchic period. English translations historically render the name as 'Shebna' or 'Shebnah,' following the Hebrew closely. Later Jewish and Christian traditions do not associate the name with broader meanings or titles. This entry avoids theological interpretation and reflects only the historical-literary function of the name as attested in biblical sources, with no reliable evidence for the speculative etymological meaning 'growth.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שֶׁבְנָה; from an unused root meaning to grow; growth; Shebna or Shebnah, an Israelite; Shebna, Shebnah.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain uncertain; traditional suggestion: to grow
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7644-02 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א veshevena HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena 5
H7644-01 שֶׁבְנָ֖א shevena HNp Shebna Shebnâʼ Shevena 2
H7644-03 וְ/שֶׁבְנָה֙ veshevenah HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena 2

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7644-03 2 Kings 18:18 וְ/שֶׁבְנָה֙ veshevenah HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-03 2 Kings 18:26 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨ה veshevenah HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-02 2 Kings 18:37 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א veshevena HC/Np and-Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-02 2 Kings 19:2 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֣א veshevena HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-01 Isaiah 22:15 שֶׁבְנָ֖א shevena HNp Shebna Shebnâʼ Shevena
H7644-02 Isaiah 36:3 וְ/שֶׁבְנָא֙ veshevena HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-02 Isaiah 36:11 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א veshevena HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-02 Isaiah 36:22 וְ/שֶׁבְנָ֨א veshevena HC/Np and Shebna and Shebnâʼ and Shevena
H7644-01 Isaiah 37:2 שֶׁבְנָ֣א shevena HNp Shebna Shebnâʼ Shevena
← H7643 Hebrew Lexicon H7645 →