שִׂנְאָה
hate
Definition
The Hebrew noun שִׂנְאָה (sinʼâh) refers to a strong, active emotion of hostility, aversion, or intense dislike, often translated as 'hate' or 'hatred.' It can describe personal animosity, as seen in the story of Amnon's sudden revulsion toward Tamar after assaulting her (2 Samuel 13:15). It also denotes a deep-seated, often collective enmity, such as the hatred of the wicked toward the righteous (Psalm 25:19) or the mutual hostility between nations (Deuteronomy 9:28). In legal contexts, it signifies malicious intent, as in the case of premeditated murder driven by hatred (Numbers 35:20).
Biblical Usage
This word appears 15 times, primarily in poetic and legal texts. It is used in the Psalms to express the psalmist's experience of unjust hatred from enemies (Psalm 109:3, 5) and even to describe the psalmist's own hatred toward God's enemies (Psalm 139:22). In wisdom literature, it contrasts with love, as in Proverbs 10:12, which states that 'hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.' The Pentateuch employs it in laws concerning cities of refuge and intentional homicide (Numbers 35:20; Deuteronomy 9:28).
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׂנֵא (śānēʼ, H8130), meaning 'to hate.' This root conveys a range from strong dislike to outright rejection. The noun form שִׂנְאָה intensifies the concept into a settled state or condition of hatred. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian and Ugaritic, with similar meanings of enmity or hostility.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the serious biblical contrast between love and hate, which are not merely emotions but moral orientations. Hatred is portrayed as destructive, fueling violence and separation from God's ways (Proverbs 10:12). In the Psalms, it raises questions about righteous indignation versus sinful malice. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by clarifying that biblical 'hatred' often implies a deliberate, active opposition, which God condemns when directed unjustly, yet the Psalms also show humans grappling with hatred toward evil, pointing to the complexity of justice and emotion in a fallen world.
In ancient Israelite culture, hatred was not just a private feeling but had serious social and legal consequences, as it could lead to blood feuds or premeditated violence, hence its specific mention in laws about murder (Numbers 35:20). Unlike modern individualistic notions of dislike, שִׂנְאָה often carried a communal or covenantal dimension, such as hatred between nations or groups, reflecting broken relationships that threatened societal stability.
אֵיבָה (ʼêḇâh, H342) — often 'enmity' or 'hostility,' focusing more on a state of feud or conflict, as in Genesis 3:15. שָׂטַם (śāṭam, H7852) — 'to bear a grudge, cherish animosity,' implying persistent, hidden hatred (Leviticus 19:18). תַּעֲב (taʻaḇ, H8581) — 'to abhor, loathe,' suggesting disgust or rejection, sometimes used in ritual contexts.
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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