H8153 H8153
sleep; the natural state of rest that restores body and soul, often metaphorically significant
This Hebrew noun denotes the physical state of sleep, appearing in various forms throughout the Old Testament. Sleep represents rest, peace, and trust in God's care, while its absence signals distress or vigilance. The psalmists speak of sleep as God's gift to the beloved (Psalm 127:2) and vow vigilance in seeking God's house ('I will not give sleep to my eyes,' Psalm 132:4). Proverbs warns against excessive sleep leading to poverty but also recognizes sleep as necessary refreshment. The word carries both literal and metaphorical weight in wisdom and worship literature.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The physical state of sleep, used in Psalm 132:4 in David's vow of dedication. The form שנת (shenat), construct state of שֵׁנָה, appears in the phrase 'I will not give sleep to my eyes' (לא־אתן שנת לעיני). English, Spanish, French, and German all use their standard word for 'sleep' ('sleep,' 'sueño,' 'sommeil,' 'schlafen'). This oath expresses David's total commitment to finding a dwelling place for the Ark of the Lord—he will not allow himself normal rest until God's house is established. The denial of sleep becomes a measure of devotion and single-minded purpose, prioritizing God's honor over personal comfort. 1×
AR["نَوْمًا"]·ben["ঘুম"]·DE["schlafen"]·EN["sleep"]·FR["sommeil"]·heb["שנת"]·HI["नींद"]·ID["tidur"]·IT["[שנת]"]·jav["tilem"]·KO["잠-을"]·PT["sono"]·RU["сон"]·ES["sueño"]·SW["usingizi"]·TR["uykuyu"]·urd["نیند"]
Related Senses
H7200 1. Qal: to see, perceive (1257×)G4771 2. you (singular address) (1077×)H8085 1. Qal: hear, perceive aurally (921×)H0859a 1. you (2nd person masculine singular pronoun) (743×)H0398 1. eat (consume food) (697×)H4191 1. die (Qal: natural/general death) (645×)G3708 1. see, perceive visually (419×)G0191 1. hear, perceive sound (360×)H???? 3. (352×)G3708 2. behold, look (exclamatory) (256×)H7272 1. foot (body part) (236×)H8354 1. drink, consume liquid (209×)H3205 1. Qal active: bear/give birth (female subject) (204×)H3205 2. Qal active: beget/father (male subject) (198×)H2421 1. Qal: live, be alive (177×)H8085 2. Qal: listen, heed, pay attention (172×)H2416a 1. alive, living (state/attribute) (146×)H2416e 1. life, lifespan, lifetime (145×)G2198 1. be alive, have life (133×)H8193 1. lip, lips (body part) (123×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† שֵׁנָה, שֵׁנָא, שְׁנָת n.f. sleep;—שֵׁנָה ψ 90:5 + 3 times; שֵׁנָא ψ 127:2, שְׁנָת ψ 132:4 (Ges§ 80 g.h.); cstr. שְׁנַת Je 51:39 + 3 times; שְׁנָתִי Gn 31:40; Je 31:26, etc.; pl. abs. שֵׁנוֹת Pr 6:10; 24:33;—sleep Gn 28:16 (J), Ju 16:14, 20; Pr 3:24; 6:9; 20:13; Ec 5:11 Je 31:26; Zc 4:1; Pr 6:4 (‖ תְּנוּמָה); מְעַט שֵׁנוֹת מְעַט תְּנוּמוֹת Pr 6:10 = 24:33 (these two of sluggard אִישׁ עָצֵל; v.…