שָׁכֵן
Shakhen
Neighbor, one who dwells near
Shakhen (שָׁכֵן) is a Hebrew word meaning “neighbor, one who dwells near,” pronounced “sha-KHEHN.” Derived from the root שׁ-כ-ן, shakhen appears 20 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H7934).
| Hebrew | שָׁכֵן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Shakhen |
| Pronunciation | sha-KHEHN |
| Meaning | Neighbor, one who dwells near |
| Root Letters | שׁ-כ-ן |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 20× |
| Key Verse | Exodus 12:4 |
| Strong's Number | H7934 |
| Category | Family & Relationships |
The Hebrew word shakhen (שָׁכֵן) means 'neighbor' — literally, one who dwells (shochen) near you. But this word conceals a remarkable theological connection. The same root that gives us shakhen (neighbor) gives us Shechinah (שְׁכִינָה) — God's dwelling presence. The God who commanded 'love your shakhen as yourself' is the same God who chose to be a shakhen — to dwell among His people. In Exodus 25:8, God says, 'Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell (shachanti) among them.' The Tabernacle was God becoming a neighbor. This linguistic connection is not coincidental — in Hebrew thought, how you treat your neighbor reflects your relationship with the God who dwells among you. When Jesus was asked, 'Who is my neighbor?' He told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), radically expanding the definition of shakhen to include anyone in need. The commandment to love your neighbor uses the word re'a (fellow person), but the concept of neighborly proximity and responsibility is deeply embedded in shakhen. Understanding this word reveals that God modeled neighboring before He commanded it — He moved into the neighborhood first.
Key Bible Verse: Exodus 12:4
“And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor (shakhen) shall take according to the number of persons.”
What Is the Root of Shakhen in Hebrew?
Shakhen comes from the root שׁ-כ-ן (shin-kaf-nun), meaning 'to dwell, to settle, to inhabit.' The same root produces 'Shechinah' (God's dwelling presence), 'mishkan' (Tabernacle/dwelling), and 'shachen' (to neighbor). The theology of God's presence and the ethics of neighboring share the same linguistic DNA.
What Does Shakhen Mean in the Bible?
Shakhen appears approximately 20 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes literal neighbors (Exodus 12:4, Passover lamb sharing), neighboring nations, and those who dwell nearby. The root appears over 130 times when including all forms (shachen, mishkan, Shechinah).
How Is Shakhen Used in Modern Hebrew?
In Israel, neighbors (shchenim) play a vital social role. It's common to share food, celebrate holidays together, and watch each other's children. The Israeli concept of community is deeply rooted in the biblical shakhen tradition — proximity creates responsibility.
How to Use Shakhen in Prayer & Worship
Ask God to help you be a true shakhen — a neighbor who reflects His dwelling presence. Pray for eyes to see the needs around you and the courage to love your neighbors as yourself, knowing that God Himself modeled neighboring by dwelling among us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shakhen
How do you say “Neighbor” in Hebrew?
“Neighbor” in Hebrew is Shakhen (שָׁכֵן), pronounced “sha-KHEHN.” Shakhen comes from the root שׁ-כ-ן (shin-kaf-nun), meaning 'to dwell, to settle, to inhabit.' The same root produces 'Shechinah' (God's dwelling presence), 'mishkan' (Tabernacle/dwelling), and 'shachen' (to neighbor). The theology of God's presence and the ethics of neighboring share the same linguistic DNA.
What does Shakhen mean in the Bible?
Shakhen (שָׁכֵן) means “Neighbor, one who dwells near” in Biblical Hebrew. Shakhen appears approximately 20 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes literal neighbors (Exodus 12:4, Passover lamb sharing), neighboring nations, and those who dwell nearby. The root appears over 130 times when including all forms (shachen, mishkan, Shechinah).
How do you pronounce Shakhen?
Shakhen is pronounced “sha-KHEHN.” The word comes from the Hebrew root שׁ-כ-ן.
What is the connection between neighbor and God's presence in Hebrew?
The root sh-k-n produces both 'shakhen' (neighbor) and 'Shechinah' (God's dwelling presence). The Tabernacle (mishkan) was God moving into Israel's neighborhood. This linguistic link teaches that loving your neighbor is intimately connected to hosting God's presence — because where God dwells, He expects His character to be reflected in how neighbors treat each other.
What does 'love your neighbor as yourself' mean in Hebrew?
Leviticus 19:18 says 'v'ahavta l're'acha kamocha' — love your re'a (fellow person) as yourself. The word re'a is broader than shakhen, encompassing anyone you encounter. Rabbi Hillel summarized the entire Torah as 'what is hateful to you, do not do to your re'a.' Jesus called this the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39).
How does the Passover lamb connect to neighbors?
Exodus 12:4 says if a household is too small for a whole lamb, they should share with their shakhen (neighbor). The very first Passover was designed to be shared — salvation was communal, not individual. This instruction ensured that no one ate alone on the night of deliverance. The Passover lamb was always a neighborhood meal.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H7934: Shakhen
- Bible Gateway — Exodus 12:4 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for שׁ-כ-ן
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