שָׁעַן
to support one's self
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׁעַן (shâʻan) fundamentally means 'to lean upon' or 'to support oneself.' It describes the physical act of leaning on an object for rest or support, as when Abraham invites his visitors to 'rest yourselves under the tree' (Genesis 18:4). Beyond the physical, it carries a strong metaphorical sense of relying on or trusting in someone or something, such as a person relying on a king (2 Samuel 1:6) or, most significantly, a person placing their trust in God (2 Kings 18:21). In a few instances, it can denote a hostile 'leaning' or pressing upon something, as in the 'leaning' of a city's walls in Judges 16:26.
Biblical Usage
שָׁעַן is used 20 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, historical, and prophetic books. Its usage is evenly split between literal, physical leaning (e.g., Genesis 18:4; 2 Kings 5:18; 2 Kings 7:2) and figurative reliance or trust (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:6; 2 Kings 18:21; 2 Chronicles 13:18). The figurative use is particularly prominent in contexts of political alliance (trusting in foreign powers) and personal or national trust in God. The verb often appears with the preposition 'עַל (ʻal, 'upon')' to specify the object of support.
Etymology
שָׁעַן is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to 'leaning' or 'supporting.' Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian (šanānu, 'to be firm') and Ugaritic, suggesting an ancient concept of providing or seeking stability. The Hebrew meaning developed naturally from the physical action to the abstract concept of dependence and trust.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly pictures the posture of faith and dependence. To 'lean' on God (2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6) is to actively transfer one's weight of trust onto Him, acknowledging Him as the sole reliable support. It contrasts with the folly of 'leaning' on human strength or political alliances (2 Chronicles 16:7). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches passages about trust, revealing faith as a deliberate act of reliance, not just intellectual agreement.
In the ancient Near East, physical leaning on a staff, a spear, or another person was a common posture for rest, authority, or infirmity. The metaphorical extension to trusting in a king or a god would have been a natural and powerful image. Leaning on something implied close contact and total dependence, making it an apt metaphor for a covenant relationship of trust with Yahweh.
בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ, H982) — emphasizes a feeling of security and confidence, often translated 'trust.'; חָסָה (ḥāsâ, H2620) — means to flee for refuge, emphasizing seeking shelter and protection.; נִשְׁעַן (nishʻan, a Niphal form of שָׁעַן) — the passive/reflexive form, 'to lean oneself,' used interchangeably.
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.
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