שָׂנֵא

From the study of Proverbs 8:13

Range of meaning

To hate, loathe; to reject, refuse to accept. It can describe strong emotional aversion (2 Sam 13:15), hostility toward an enemy, or in some legal and family settings, being the less-favoured one or being rejected (Gen 29:31; Deut 21:15; Mal 1:3).

Against the English

English 'hate' is mainly an emotion. Hebrew śānēʾ often includes action: pushing something away, refusing it a place. Here the emotional and the practical go together.

Used elsewhere in the period

Things YHWH 'hates' are listed in Prov 6:16–19 (haughty eyes, a lying tongue…), closely matching the list here. Amos 5:15: 'Hate evil and love good.' Ps 97:10: 'You who love YHWH, hate evil.'

From the study of Proverbs 9:8

Range of meaning

To hate, feel hostility toward, treat as an enemy. It can also mean to reject or not choose, when paired with 'love' in contexts of preference (Gen 29:31; Deut 21:15–17; Mal 1:2–3). The participle śōnēʾ means 'enemy'.

Against the English

English 'hate' is accurate here. It names a relationship of hostility as much as a feeling.

Used elsewhere in the period

Prov 1:22, 29 (fools 'hate knowledge'); 5:12 ('how I hated discipline'); 12:1 ('whoever hates reproof is stupid'); 15:10. Proverbs often pairs hating correction with hating the one who gives it.

From the study of Ecclesiastes 3:8

Range of meaning

To hate: strong hostility (2 Sam 13:15, Amnon's hatred of Tamar). Also to reject or turn away from (Amos 5:21, 'I hate, I reject your feasts'), to be an enemy (the participle means 'enemy', Ps 18:17), and, in comparisons, to love less or put second (Gen 29:31; Deut 21:15–17; Mal 1:2–3). In legal settings it can mean breaking off a relationship, as in divorce (Deut 24:3).

Against the English

Modern English 'hate' is almost wholly an inner emotion, and usually a vice. The Hebrew can mean that, but it often names a stance or action: rejection, cutting off, being on the opposing side.

How it drifted

English narrowed 'hate' toward feeling. Modern ethics also treats 'hatred' as a vice in itself, so 'a time to hate' can sound shocking or like a licence.

Used elsewhere in the period

Contract texts from the Jewish colony at Elephantine, Egypt (5th century BC) use the Aramaic equivalent ('I hate my wife') as a formula for divorce. Biblical wisdom texts speak of hating evil as a virtue (Prov 8:13; Ps 97:10; Amos 5:15).