שָׁעָה
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׁעָה (shâʻâh) carries a core sense of looking intently or gazing, often with a specific purpose or emotional state. Its primary meaning is to look at or toward something, sometimes for help or favor, as seen in Genesis 4:4-5 where God 'looked with favor' on Abel's offering but not on Cain's. This gaze can also imply inspection or consideration, as in Exodus 5:9 where Pharaoh commands the taskmasters not to 'pay attention to' (or regard) false words. In other contexts, the looking is associated with turning away in dismay or being bewildered, such as in Psalm 39:13 where the psalmist asks God to 'look away from me' so he can recover cheer.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears 15 times across various literary contexts, including narrative (Genesis, Exodus, 2 Samuel), poetry (Job, Psalms), and wisdom literature. It is often used in relational or petitionary settings. A key pattern is its use in divine-human interaction, describing God 'looking' with favor (Genesis 4:4) or a human pleading for God to 'look away' (Psalm 39:13, Job 7:19). It can also describe a hostile or dismissive gaze, as when enemies 'look' for help but do not find it (2 Samuel 22:42, Psalm 119:117). The KJV reflects this range with translations like 'regard,' 'have respect,' 'spare,' 'look away,' and 'be dismayed.'
Etymology
שָׁעָה is a primitive root. Its fundamental meaning relates to looking or gazing. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic and Aramaic, support meanings of looking, regarding, or even praying (as turning one's gaze toward). The semantic development in Hebrew expanded from the physical act of gazing to include the attendant mental states of consideration, compassion, or dismay.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it frequently describes the posture of attention between God and humanity. God's 'looking' or 'regarding' is not passive observation but an active, relational engagement that implies favor, judgment, or compassion. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches readings of key passages, revealing that divine favor (Genesis 4:4) is an intentional act of regard, and human pleas for God to 'turn his gaze' (Job 7:19, Psalm 39:13) are appeals for a change in God's relational stance. It underscores that biblical prayer often involves asking for God's attentive gaze.
In the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, looking or turning one's face toward someone was a powerful nonverbal communication. For a superior to 'look upon' an inferior could signify favor, acceptance, or the granting of a request. Conversely, looking away or refusing to look could indicate rejection, anger, or dismissal. This cultural understanding of gaze as agency and relationship deeply informs the biblical usage of שָׁעָה.
רָאָה (rāʼâ, H7200) — A more general term for seeing; שָׁעָה implies a more focused, intent, or purposeful gaze. פָּנָה (pānâ, H6437) — Means to turn, often physically; שָׁעָה focuses more on the act of looking after turning. בָּחַן (bāḥan, H974) — Means to test or examine; שָׁעָה's sense of 'inspect' is more about simple observation or regard.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →