שְׁנָה
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׁנָה (shᵉnâh) means 'sleep'. In its single biblical occurrence, it refers to the natural, physical state of sleep. This Aramaic-derived term is used specifically in Daniel 6:18 to describe the king's inability to sleep due to distress over Daniel being in the lions' den. It carries no inherent metaphorical meaning in this context, simply denoting the cessation of wakefulness.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 6:18. It appears in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel, describing King Darius's state after condemning Daniel. The context is one of royal anxiety and distress, where the king's sleep is disturbed. The usage is straightforward, denoting literal, physical sleep.
Etymology
שְׁנָה (H8139) is an Aramaic noun that corresponds directly to the Hebrew noun שֵׁנָה (H8142), which also means 'sleep'. Both words derive from the common Semitic root שׁ-נ-ה/שׁ-נ-א, associated with the concept of sleep. The Aramaic form appears in the biblical text due to the Aramaic sections of the book of Daniel.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is mundane, its single use in Daniel 6:18 is theologically significant. The king's sleeplessness highlights divine providence and human conscience. It shows God working through a pagan ruler's distress to set the stage for Daniel's miraculous deliverance, underscoring God's sovereignty over kings and empires. Understanding this moment enriches the narrative of God's protection of his faithful servant.
In the ancient Near East, sleep was often seen as a vulnerable state and a time when divine messages could be delivered through dreams. A king's inability to sleep, as described here, was a sign of extreme mental agitation and could be interpreted as a bad omen or divine disturbance. The narrative uses this cultural understanding to emphasize the king's genuine turmoil and the seriousness of the situation.
שֵׁנָה (shēnâh, H8142) — The standard Hebrew word for 'sleep', used more frequently (e.g., Psalm 132:4). תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardēmâ, H8639) — A deep sleep, often divinely induced (e.g., Genesis 2:21). שָׁכַב (shākav, H7901) — A verb meaning 'to lie down', often implying sleep.
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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