Lexical Summary
shaan: To be at ease, to rest, to be quiet
Original Word:שָׁאַן
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:sha'an
Pronunciation:shaw-an'
Phonetic Spelling:(shaw-an')
KJV: be at ease, be quiet, rest See also H1052
NASB:ease, been at ease, secure
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to loll, i.e. be peaceful
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be at ease, be quiet, rest
A primitive root; to loll, i.e. Be peaceful -- be at ease, be quiet, rest. See alsoBeyth Sh'an.
see HEBREWBeyth Sh'an
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto be at ease or at peace, rest securely
NASB Translationbeen at ease (1), ease (3), secure (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Ges
§ 55d) (Syriac
pacify,
Ethiopic
peace); —
Perfect3masculine singular
Jeremiah 48:11, consecutive
Jeremiah 30:10 +; 3 plural
Job 3:18; —
be at ease, secure, undisturbed by ill fortune:
Jeremiah 30:10 =
Jeremiah 46:27;
Jeremiah 48:(of Moab);
Proverbs 1:33; of rest from trouble, etc., in grave
Job 3:18.
see . P. 112
Topical Lexicon
Root Meaning and NuanceThe verb שָׁאַן portrays an inner and outward state of undisturbed repose—an ease that results either from divine protection or from self-satisfied complacency. The same root can therefore convey blessed security for the faithful or false security for the rebellious.
Occurrences and Literary Context
•Job 3:18 frames the word within Job’s lament over human suffering: “There the prisoners enjoy their ease; they do not hear the voice of the taskmaster.” Even in poetic despair, the idea of rest persists as an attainable reality somewhere beyond present affliction.
•Proverbs 1:33 teaches wisdom’s reward: “But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.” The ethical trajectory of the book links obedience to God’s wisdom with a life free from paralyzing dread.
•Jeremiah 30:10 andJeremiah 46:27 repeat a salvation oracle to the remnant: “Jacob will return to a quiet place and be at ease, with no one to make him afraid.” In both settings the promise counters national trauma—Assyrian and Babylonian threats—by guaranteeing covenant rest.
•Jeremiah 48:11 shifts the tone: “Moab has been at ease from his youth… Therefore his flavor has remained, and his aroma is unchanged.” Here unfounded ease breeds moral stagnation and invites impending judgment.
Theological Significance
1. Divine Rest: The word illuminates God’s intent to bring His people into rest (compareExodus 33:14;Hebrews 4:9). The prophetic pledges to Jacob echo the Sabbath motif—rest flowing from covenant faithfulness.
2. False Security: Moab’s ease illustrates how prosperity without repentance ossifies the heart (seeAmos 6:1). Scripture consistently warns that ease detached from God fosters pride and invites discipline.
3. Eschatological Hope: Jeremiah’s twin assurances anticipate the ultimate gathering of Israel under Messiah, when “Israel will dwell securely” (Ezekiel 34:28) and peace will be unbroken.
Prophetic Implications
The term stands at the intersection of judgment and hope. For Jacob, it ratifies God’s irrevocable promise to restore; for Moab, it exposes the peril of resting on cultural success while ignoring the Lord. The prophets thus wield שָׁאַן to announce both consolation for the faithful remnant and exposure of counterfeit peace.
Practical Ministry Application
• Pastoral Care: These texts encourage believers to seek true rest in God’s finished work rather than in circumstances.
• Preaching: Contrast between Jeremiah’s redeemed ease and Moab’s complacent ease offers a clear gospel call—rest is a gift, not a presumption.
• Counseling the Afflicted:Job 3:18 assures that divine rest ultimately silences every oppressor, pointing sufferers to future hope.
Christological and Eschatological Connections
The restful security that Jeremiah envisions finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who invites, “Come to Me, all you who are weary… and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).Revelation 14:13 seals the promise for the redeemed dead: “They will rest from their labors.” Thus שָׁאַן serves as an Old Testament signpost to the consummate peace secured by the Lamb.
Summary
Shāʾan threads through wisdom, poetry, and prophecy to depict two divergent destinies: gracious rest for those who heed the Lord and ruinous complacency for those who ignore Him. Its message remains timeless—true ease springs from covenant relationship with God, is deepened in Christ, and will be perfected in the eternal kingdom.
Forms and Transliterations
וְ֝שַׁאֲנַ֗ן וְשַׁאֲנַ֖ן ושאנן שַׁאֲנַ֨ן שַׁאֲנָ֑נוּ שאנן שאננו ša’ănan ša’ănānū ša·’ă·nā·nū ša·’ă·nan shaaNan shaaNanu veshaaNan wə·ša·’ă·nan wəša’ănan
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
