What does שָׁעָה (šāʿāh) mean in the Bible?
שָׁעָה (šāʿāh): Looking outward in distress or wonder—seeking help, consideration, or compassionate response through intentional gaze.
Hebrew · H8159
שָׁעָה
To gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect , consider , compassionate , be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
שָׁעָהH8159
Pronunciationšāʿāh
What does שָׁעָה (šāʿāh) mean in the Bible?
שָׁעָה (šāʿāh): Looking outward in distress or wonder—seeking help, consideration, or compassionate response through intentional gaze.
Full entry for שָׁעָה (H8159) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8159?
The BSB source-word alignment has 15 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include look (2), look away (2), regard (2), and pay no attention (1), be afraid (1).
Where does שָׁעָה (šāʿāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 4:4. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (7), Genesis (2), Job (2), Psalms (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itlook2×Isaiah 17:8, Isaiah 31:1
look away2×Job 7:19, Job 14:6
regard2×Genesis 4:5, Psalms 119:117
and pay no attention1×Exodus 5:9
be afraid1×Isaiah 41:10
be closed1×Isaiah 32:3
looked with favor1×Genesis 4:4
that we may look on together in dismay1×Isaiah 41:23
They looked1×2 Samuel 22:42
Turn away1×Isaiah 22:4
Turn Your gaze1×Psalms 39:13
will look1×Isaiah 17:7
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 4:4וַיִּ֣שַׁעtolooked with favorConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 4:5שָׁעָ֑הtoregardVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularExodus 5:9יִשְׁע֖וּtoand pay no attentionVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2 Samuel 22:42יִשְׁע֖וּtoThey lookedVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralJob 7:19תִשְׁעֶ֣הtolook awayVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularJob 14:6שְׁעֵ֣הtolook awayVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularPsalms 39:13הָשַׁ֣עtoTurn Your gazeVerb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularPsalms 119:117וְאֶשְׁעָ֖הtoregardConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singularIsaiah 17:7יִשְׁעֶ֥הtowill lookVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularIsaiah 17:8יִשְׁעֶ֔הtolookVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 4:4
Aligned rows15
Books represented6
Genesis2Exodus12 Samuel1Job2Psalms2Isaiah7
Source forms
יִשְׁע֖וּ2xyiš·‘ūExodus 5:9, 2 Samuel 22:42
הָשַׁ֣ע1xhā·ša‘Psalms 39:13
וְאֶשְׁעָ֖ה1xwə·’eš·‘āhPsalms 119:117
וַיִּ֣שַׁע1xway·yi·ša‘Genesis 4:4
וְנִשְׁתָּ֖עָה1xwə·niš·tā·‘āhIsaiah 41:23
יִשְׁעֶ֥ה1xyiš·‘ehIsaiah 17:7
יִשְׁעֶ֔ה1xyiš·‘ehIsaiah 17:8
שְׁעֵ֣ה1xšə·‘êhJob 14:6
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular2xJob 7:19, Isaiah 41:10
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural2xExodus 5:9, 2 Samuel 22:42
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular2xIsaiah 17:7, Isaiah 17:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural1xIsaiah 41:23
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular1xPsalms 119:117
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xGenesis 4:4
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular1xPsalms 39:13
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural1xIsaiah 22:4
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Looking outward in distress or wonder—seeking help, consideration, or compassionate response through intentional gaze.
Strong'sH8159
Lexical occurrences15 versesWord forms2 forms12 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 4:1-8Source Gloss
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect , consider , compassionate , be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Looking outward in distress or wonder—seeking help, consideration, or compassionate response through intentional gaze.
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered BDB: gaze Usage: depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms12
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense11×
ImperfectIsa 17:7 · Isa 17:8 · 2Sam 22:42 · Isa 32:3 · Job 7:195×
JussiveExod 5:9 · Isa 41:102×
PerfectGen 4:5 · Isa 31:12×
Sequential imperfectIsa 22:4 · Job 14:62×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action1×
Sequential imperfectPs 39:141×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
God's attention and acceptance of an offering, looking upon with favor or disfavor
Showing 1 selected witness from 15 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
שָׁעָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.