שָׁעָה
sha.ah
to gaze
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word שָׁעָה (sha.ah) is a verb meaning to gaze or look. The fact that it falls under the semantic domain of Cognition & Perception indicates that it relates to the way we perceive and understand the world through our visual experience. In the 15 occurrences of שָׁעָה in the Bible, we see its range of usage extending from simple observation to intense scrutiny or study. For example, it can describe a casual glance or a deliberate examination of something. Without further information, it is impossible to say exactly how the context of each occurrence informs the nature of the gaze. While a deeper investigation would be necessary to explore the significance of this word in specific biblical contexts, the available data suggests that שָׁעָה is fundamentally about visual perception and its role in human understanding.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences across the text
How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?
Job 14:6Look away from him, that he may rest, until he accomplishes, as a hireling, his day.
Psalms 39:13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”
Psalms 119:117Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
Isaiah 32:3The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
Isaiah 17:7In that day, people will look to their Maker, and their eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17:8They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they respect that which their fingers have made, either the Asherah poles, or the incense altars.
Isaiah 22:4Therefore I said, “Look away from me. I will weep bitterly. Don’t labor to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Isaiah 31:1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don’t seek Yahweh!
Isaiah 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:23Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and see it together.
Genesis 4:4Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
Genesis 4:5but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
Exodus 5:9Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”
2 Samuel 22:42They looked, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.