שָׁמֵן
greasy, i.e. gross; figuratively, rich
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׁמֵן (shâmên) primarily describes something rich, fat, or fertile. In a literal sense, it refers to the fatness of the land, as in the 'fatness' of the earth in Genesis 49:20 and the 'fat' land of the Negev in Numbers 13:20. Figuratively, it denotes prosperity, abundance, and wealth, describing people who have grown rich and powerful, as seen in Nehemiah 9:25 and Ezekiel 34:14. This dual meaning connects physical richness with the blessing of material prosperity.
Biblical Usage
שָׁמֵן is used 10 times across various books, primarily in narrative and prophetic contexts. It describes fertile land (Genesis 49:20, Numbers 13:20, Isaiah 30:23), prosperous people (Nehemiah 9:25, 9:35), and abundant pastures (Ezekiel 34:14). In Judges 3:29, it describes 'lusty' (i.e., robust) Moabite warriors. The usage consistently links the word with bounty, whether agricultural or economic, often in contexts of God's provision or judgment on wealth.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁמַן (shâman, H8080), meaning 'to be or become fat.' This root conveys the idea of growing plump or rich. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to fatness and oil, indicating a shared cultural understanding of fat as a sign of prosperity and blessing.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it often appears in contexts of divine blessing and covenant faithfulness. The 'fatness' of the land is a direct result of God's provision (Isaiah 30:23), while the description of people as 'rich' (שָׁמֵן) can also serve as a warning against pride and forgetting God, as seen in Nehemiah 9:25, 35. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical link between material abundance and spiritual responsibility, showing that prosperity is a gift to be stewarded, not an end in itself.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, fatness was not viewed negatively as it often is today. Instead, it was a visible sign of health, wealth, and success. A 'fat' land meant fertile soil capable of sustaining life, and 'fat' people indicated those who had more than enough to eat—a rarity in subsistence economies. This cultural perspective helps modern readers see why biblical authors used this term positively for God's blessings.
חֵלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — specifically refers to the fat of animals, often used in sacrificial contexts. דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1878) — means to be fat or prosperous, with a focus on anointing or richness. עָשִׁיר (ʿâshîyr, H6223) — a more general term for rich or wealthy, without the connotation of physical fatness.
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 →