Lexical Summary
shemoneh or shemonah: Eight
Original Word:שְׁמֹנֶה
Part of Speech:Noun
Transliteration:shmoneh
Pronunciation:shem-oh-neh or shem-oh-nah
Phonetic Spelling:(shem-o-neh')
KJV: eight((-een, -eenth)), eighth
NASB:eight, eighth
Word Origin:[apparently fromH8082 (שָׁמֵן - Fat) through the idea of plumpness]
1. a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the "perfect" seven)
2. (as ordinal) eighth
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
eighteen eighth
Or shmowneh {shem-o-neh'}; feminine shmonah {shem-o-naw'}; or shmownah {shem-o-naw'}; apparently fromshamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the "perfect" seven); also (as ordinal) eighth -- eight((-een, -eenth)), eighth.
see HEBREWshamen
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitioneight (a card. number)
NASB Translation108,100* (1), 128* (4), 138* (1), 148* (1), 18* (2), 18,000* (7), 188* (1), 2,812* (1), 2,818* (2), 20,800* (1), 218* (1), 22,600* (1), 28* (1), 28,600* (1), 288* (1), 328* (1), 38,000* (1), 468* (1), 6,800* (1), 628* (1), 648* (1), 68* (1), 8,580* (1), 8,600* (1), 800,000* (1), 822* (1), 832* (1), 845* (1), 928* (1), 98* (2), eight (36), eighteen* (8), eighteenth* (11), eighth (3), forty-eight* (2), ninety-eight* (1), thirty-eight* (1), thirty-eighth* (2), twenty-eight* (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(less often ),
109 (on compare BaNB 20, 200 and (against him) PhilippiBAS ii. 364; Arabic
,
Sabean Homchr 47, 122 DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 369 f., 375; Aramaic , ,
,
; Nabataean , Palmyrene , Lzb386; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician Ethiopic
on Assyrian equivalent see Dl§ 75); — (c. ) always absoluteJudges 3:8 + 40:t.; (c. ) absolute1 Samuel 17:12 34t., constructNumbers 2:24 3t. (cases of 8 1018are additional, see below); plural , 80, see below: —
without other number:
cardinal, before plural nounJudges 3:1 Kings 7:10 8t.; before singular noun1 Kings 8:17 (Kt; Qr plural)1 Kings 22:1; after plural nounEzekiel 40:31; ordinal2 Kings 24:12, 2Chronicles 34:3.
cardinal, before plural noun1 Samuel 17:12 3t., + (noun omitted)Jeremiah 14:15 2t., alsoGenesis 22:23these8and, as round number,Micah 5:4 7and8(i.e. plenty); after plural nounNumbers 29:29; 2Chronicles 29:17; ordinal,2 Chronicles 29:17.
feminine constructGenesis 17:12;Genesis 21:4,Numbers 7:8.
810= 8:
with
, cardinal: before singularJudges 3:14 2t.,1 Kings 7:15 2t.; after plural noun1 Chronicles 26:9; 2Chronicles 11:21; noun omittedEzra 8:18;Nehemiah 7:11; ordinal,1 Kings 15:1 4t.;2 Kings 22:3 2t.;Jeremiah 32:1.
with
cardinal: before singularJudges 20:44 4t. +Psalm 60:2 (title), so read for , compare2 Samuel 8:13 =1 Chronicles 18:12; before pluralEzra 8:9; noun omittedGenesis 14:14; ordinal, noun omitted1 Chronicles 24:15;1 Chronicles 25:15;Judges 20:25.
with
2 Samuel 23:8 (so read also ""1 Chronicles 11:11 Kit Benz, compare Th We Dr and others), + 16 t.
1 Chronicles 12:36 (35 van d. H.),1 Chronicles 23:3;Numbers 2:24 3t.
, cardinal, after tens1 Samuel 4:15 20t.; before ten, onlyExodus 26:2;Exodus 36:9; ordinal,1 Kings 16:29;2 Kings 15:8.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Core Usageשְׁמֹנֶה designates the cardinal number “eight.” In Scripture it marks quantity, sequence, age, duration, and symbolic completeness. While sometimes paired with its ordinal counterpart (“eighth”), the cardinal form stands on its own in approximately 109 Old Testament references.
Canonical Distribution and Frequency
• Torah: Numbers predominate in Leviticus and Numbers, especially within ritual directives.
• Historical Books: Frequent in genealogies, military counts, and royal ages.
• Prophets and Writings: Employed for poetic parallelism, prophetic imagery, and proverbial maxims.
Symbolic Significance: New Beginnings
Eight follows the fullness of seven and therefore carries connotations of a fresh start. After seven days of flooding, Noah waited “another seven days” (Genesis 8:10), and on the next day (effectively the eighth) the new era began as the dove returned no more. Though the verse does not use שְׁמֹנֶה, the canonical storyline accents eight as the threshold of restoration. Later typological echoes reinforce this pattern: the eighth day accepts offerings (Ezekiel 43:27), and the resurrection of Christ—first day after the Sabbath—stands as the climactic new creation.
Covenantal Marker: Circumcision on the Eighth Day
Genesis 17:12 inaugurates the command: “He who is eight days old among you must be circumcised”.Leviticus 12:3 repeats the ordinance. The eighth-day timing combines divine grace (the child contributes nothing) with covenantal responsibility, symbolizing purified life set apart for God.Luke 2:21 later records Jesus’ adherence, anchoring the continuity of covenant across Testaments.
Priestly and Sacrificial Regulations
1. Completion of Priestly Ordination: “On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons” (Leviticus 9:1). After seven days of consecration, ministry truly begins.
2. Cleansing Rituals: A healed leper brings offerings “on the eighth day” (Leviticus 14:10). Bodily discharges (Leviticus 15:14, 29) and Nazirite vows (Numbers 6:10) follow the same pattern.
3. Animal Acceptability: “From the eighth day and thereafter it will be accepted as an offering” (Leviticus 22:27). Life must mature past a full seven-day cycle before dedication, underscoring wholeness prior to sacrifice.
Festal Calendar
Leviticus 23:36 and 23:39 prescribe a solemn assembly on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Shemini Atzeret). While the feast itself celebrates completed harvest and divine shelter, the added day invites Israel to linger with the Lord, anticipating the eschatological dwelling of God with His people (Revelation 21:3).
Royal and Historical Notes
• Joash (2 Kings 11:21) and Josiah (2 Kings 22:1) each ascended the throne at eight years old, foreshadowing youthful zeal that restores covenant worship.
• Jesse’s eight sons (1 Samuel 16:10–11) culminate in David, through whom God establishes an enduring kingdom.
• InExodus 26:25, eight frames of acacia wood reinforce the tabernacle’s western wall, integrating the number into the very structure of worship.
Wisdom and Prophetic Literature
Proverbs 30:29 lists “there are three things… and four,” yetEcclesiastes 11:2 heightens the parallelism: “Give a portion to seven, and even to eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land”. The phrase suggests generosity that exceeds completeness toward abundance.Micah 5:5 likewise envisions Israel defended by “seven shepherds and eight leaders of men,” a poetic escalation portraying superabundant security.
Eschatological Glimpses
Ezekiel’s temple vision culminates in the Lord’s promise: “On the eighth day and onward, the priests shall offer your burnt offerings… then I will accept you” (Ezekiel 43:27). The eighth day opens perpetual acceptance, prefiguring the eternal Sabbath rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Theological Reflections for Ministry
1. New Creation Hope – Eight reminds believers that God’s redemptive plan moves beyond mere restoration to altogether new life.
2. Covenant Faithfulness – Parental obedience on the eighth-day circumcision encourages families today to consecrate children early to the Lord.
3. Worship and Service – Priestly patterns teach that preparation (seven) must precede public ministry (eight), urging diligence before deployment.
4. Generosity and Leadership – Wisdom’s call to provide “to eight” and Micah’s prophetic imagery spur the church toward overflowing stewardship and multiplied shepherding.
Selected Reference Index
Genesis 17:12;Exodus 26:25;Leviticus 9:1; 12:3; 14:10; 22:27; 23:36, 39;Numbers 6:10; 29:35;1 Samuel 16:10-11;2 Kings 11:21; 22:1;1 Chronicles 13:7;2 Chronicles 29:17;Ecclesiastes 11:2;Micah 5:5;Ezekiel 43:27.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּשְׁמֹנֶ֤ה בִּשְׁמֹנָ֣ה בִּשְׁמוֹנֶ֤ה בִּשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה בשמונה בשמנה וּבִשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה וּשְׁמֹֽנַת־ וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֣ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה וּשְׁמֹנֶֽה־ וּשְׁמֹנֶה֙ וּשְׁמֹנָ֑ה וּשְׁמֹנָ֖ה וּשְׁמֹנָ֥ה וּשְׁמֹנָֽה׃ וּשְׁמוֹנֶ֣ה וּשְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה וּשְׁמוֹנַ֥ת וּשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה וּשְׁמוֹנָ֖ה וּשְׁמוֹנָ֛ה וּשְׁמוֹנָ֥ה וּשְׁמוֹנָֽה׃ ובשמונה ושמונה ושמונה׃ ושמונת ושמנה ושמנה־ ושמנה׃ ושמנת־ לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה לִשְׁמוֹנָ֤ה לשמונה שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה שְׁמֹנֶ֤ה שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה שְׁמֹנֶֽה־ שְׁמֹנֶה֩ שְׁמֹנַ֖ת שְׁמֹנַ֣ת שְׁמֹנַ֤ת שְׁמֹנַ֨ת שְׁמֹנָ֖ה שְׁמֹנָ֣ה שְׁמֹנָ֤ה שְׁמֹנָ֥ה שְׁמֹנָֽה־ שְׁמוֹנֶ֖ה שְׁמוֹנֶ֤ה שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה שְׁמוֹנֶֽה־ שְׁמוֹנָ֑ה שְׁמוֹנָ֣ה שְׁמוֹנָ֥ה שְׁמוֹנָֽה׃ שמונה שמונה־ שמונה׃ שמנה שמנה־ שמנת biš·mō·nāh biš·mō·neh biš·mō·w·neh bishmoNah bishmoNeh bišmōnāh bišmōneh bišmōwneh liš·mō·w·nāh lishmoNah lišmōwnāh šə·mō·nāh šə·mō·nāh- šə·mō·naṯ šə·mō·neh šə·mō·neh- šə·mō·w·nāh šə·mō·w·neh šə·mō·w·neh- šəmōnāh šəmōnāh- šəmōnaṯ šəmōneh šəmōneh- šəmōwnāh šəmōwneh šəmōwneh- shemoNah shemoNat shemoNeh ū·ḇiš·mō·w·neh ū·šə·mō·nāh ū·šə·mō·naṯ- ū·šə·mō·neh ū·šə·mō·neh- ū·šə·mō·w·nāh ū·šə·mō·w·naṯ ū·šə·mō·w·neh ūḇišmōwneh ūšəmōnāh ūšəmōnaṯ- ūšəmōneh ūšəmōneh- ūšəmōwnāh ūšəmōwnaṯ ūšəmōwneh ushemoNah ushemonat ushemoNeh uvishmoNeh
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