Berean Strong's Lexicon shanan: To sharpen, to whet, to teach diligently Original Word: שָׁנַן Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "shanan," the concept of diligent teaching and instruction can be related to Greek words such as "διδάσκω" (didaskō - Strong's Greek 1321), meaning to teach or instruct. Usage: The Hebrew verb "shanan" primarily means to sharpen or whet, as one would sharpen a sword or tool. In a figurative sense, it is used to describe the act of teaching or instilling knowledge diligently and repeatedly, much like sharpening the mind or understanding. This usage emphasizes the importance of repetition and thoroughness in teaching, particularly in the context of imparting God's commandments and wisdom. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the act of sharpening tools and weapons was essential for daily life and survival, symbolizing preparedness and skill. Similarly, the diligent teaching of God's laws was crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The Israelites were commanded to teach their children the ways of the Lord consistently, ensuring that each generation would know and follow God's statutes. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to whet, sharpen NASB Translation pierced (1), sharp (4), sharpen (2), sharpened (1), teach them diligently (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׁנַן] verb whet, sharpen (compare Arabic id.; Aramaic שְׁנִינָא, sharp, etc.; Ethiopic [] III, 2, contend, litigate; hence שֵׁן tooth, Late Hebrew id., Assyrian šinnu, Arabic , Ethiopic Aramaic שִׁנָּא, ); — Qal whet, sharpen: Perfect1singular אִם שַׁנּוֺתִ֫י בְּרַק חַרְבִּי (Ges§ 67ee) Deuteronomy 32:41, of ׳יs preparation for judgment; 3 plural (כַחֶרֶב) שָֽׁנְנוּ לְשׁוֺנָם Psalm 64:4; Psalm 140:4 of uttering sharp words; Passive participle שְׁנוּנִים sharpened, of arrows, Isaiah 5:28; Psalm 45:6, figurative of tongue Psalm 120:4, of false witness Proverbs 25:18. Pi`el Perfect consecutive וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ Deuteronomy 6:7 i.e. teach the words incisively, German 'einschärfen.' Hithpo`el Imperfect1singular Psalm 73:21 in my kidneys אֶשְׁתּוֺנָ֑ן I was pierced (of poignant envy). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prick, sharpen, teach diligently, whet A primitive root; to point (transitive or intransitive); intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate -- prick, sharp(-en), teach diligently, whet. Forms and Transliterations אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃ אשתונן׃ וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם ושננתם שְׁנ֫וּנִ֥ים שְׁנוּנִ֑ים שְׁנוּנִ֔ים שַׁנּוֹתִי֙ שָֽׁנֲנ֣וּ שָׁנ֑וּן שָׁנְנ֣וּ שנון שנונים שנותי שננו ’eš·tō·w·nān ’eštōwnān eshtoNan šā·nă·nū šā·nə·nū šā·nūn šan·nō·w·ṯî šānănū šānənū šannōwṯî šānūn šə·nū·nîm šənūnîm shanaNu shaneNu shannoTi shaNun sheNuNim veshinnanTam wə·šin·nan·tām wəšinnantāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 6:7 HEB: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ NAS: You shall teach them diligently to your sons KJV: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, INT: shall teach to your sons and shall talk Deuteronomy 32:41 Psalm 45:5 Psalm 64:3 Psalm 73:21 Psalm 120:4 Psalm 140:3 Proverbs 25:18 Isaiah 5:28 9 Occurrences |