Original Word: שְׁנַיִם
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: shnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim or shet-tah'-yim
Phonetic Spelling: (shen-ah'-yim)
KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, + twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two
NASB: two, both, second, double, pair, twice, two things
Word Origin: [dual of H8145 (שֵׁנִי - second) feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}]

1. two
2. (as ordinal) twofold

both, couple, double, second, twain

Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also (as ordinal) twofold -- both, couple, double, second, twain, + twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.

see HEBREW sheniy

Word Origin
from shanah
Definition
two (a card. number)
NASB Translation
1,052* (2), 1,222* (1), 112* (3), 12* (2), 12,000* (8), 120,000* (1), 122* (2), 172* (1), 2,172* (2), 2,322* (1), 2,812* (1), 20,000* (2), 212* (1), 22,000* (7), 22,034* (1), 22,200* (1), 22,273* (1), 232* (1), 242* (1), 32* (1), 32,000* (2), 32,200* (2), 32,500* (1), 372* (2), 392* (2), 42* (2), 42,000* (1), 52* (2), 52,700* (1), 62* (1), 62,700* (2), 642* (2), 652* (2), 72* (1), 72,000* (1), 822* (1), 832* (1), both (62), both* (7), couple (2), double (7), each other (1), few (1), forty-two* (3), pair (7), second (11), second time (1), sixty-two* (4), thirty-second* (2), thirty-two* (7), twelfth* (22), twelve* (93), twenty-second* (2), twenty-two* (10), twice (5), two (424), two on opposite (2), two things (4), two-tenths* (11), twos (2).

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם (Philippi^{ZMG xlix (1895), 202} Ges^{§ 97b} note):768

noun masculine and feminine dual two (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician אשנם (and ׳שנ second), Punic שנם Lzb³⁸⁰; Arabic ; Sabean תֿני Hom^{Chr 47}, Aramaic תְּרֵין, (תִּנְיָנָא, second); Nabataean תרין, Palmyrene feminine תרתן, תרתיא, Lzb³⁸⁸; Assyrian šinâ; on etymology see √, and especially Philippi^{ZMG xxxii (1878), 21-98}); — masculine (with masculine noun) שְׁנַיִם Amos 3:3 +; construct שְׁנֵי Isaiah 7:16 +, suffix שְׁנֵיהֶם Genesis 2:25 +, etc.; feminine (with

feminine noun) שְׁתַּיִם Amos 4:8 +; construct שְׁתֵּי Genesis 4:19, וּשְׁתֵּי Isaiah 7:21 +, etc., מִשְּׁתֵֿי Judges 16:28 (see GFM); suffixes see below (2 10= 12, see below); Hexateuch chiefly P; — two:

1 no other number:

a. usually construct before plural noun (צְמִידִים) שְׁנֵי Genesis 24:22 19t. + 2 Samuel 23:20 "" 1 Chronicles 11:22 (insert בְּנֵי ᵐ5 Th modern, otherwise RS^{Semitic i. 469, 2nd ed., 488}); (נָשִׁים) שְׁתֵּי Genesis 4:19 132t., 1 Samuel 10:4 insert כִּכְּרוֺת Klo HPS Bu Now; Leviticus 16:21 read dual יָדָיו Qr, + Judges 16:28 (see above) + שְׁתֵּיאֵֿלֶּה Isaiah 47:9 both these things; before singular noun, שְׁנֵי Exodus 16:22 (Ges^{§ 134e}); suffix שְׁנֵיתֶם the two of them Genesis 2:25 62t., + Proverbs 24:22 (> their years ᵑ6 ᵑ7 De and others; probably corrupt, see Toy), שְׁנֵינוּ Genesis 31:37 2t., שְׁנֵיכֶם Genesis 27:45; שְׁתֵּיהֶם (masculine suffix! Ges^{§ 135o}) Ruth 1:19; Ruth 4:11, יֵ֯הֶן 1 Samuel 25:43; Ezekiel 23:13.

b. absolute (1) שְׁנַ֫יִם (90 t.), before plural noun Judges 11:37 26t.; after plural noun 2 Samuel 1:1; Exodus 29:1+ 21 t. (usually P Chronicles), singular noun (collective) Genesis 46:27; Numbers 7:17 11t. Numbers 17; noun omitted Genesis 7:2; Genesis 44:27 26t.; ׳שׁ ׳שׁ distributive Genesis 7:9 +; ׳לִשׁ cut in two 2 Kings 3:25; Jeremiah 34:18; = double amount Exodus 22:3; Exodus 22:6; Exodus 22:8 (E); ׳מִּי שׁ Deuteronomy 21:17 double portion, + בְּרוּחֲךָ 2 Kings 2:9 in (of) thy spirit, + בָּהּ Zechariah 3:18; -2שְׁתַּ֫יִם (55 t.) before plural noun 1 Kings 3:16 16t.; after plural noun (usually P and late) 2 Chronicles 24:3 9t.; noun omitted, = two things Isaiah 51:19; Job 13:20; Proverbs 30:7; שְׁתַּיִם = twice 2 Kings 6:10; Job 40:5; Psalm 62:12 (or as Proverbs 30:7), ׳בִּשׁ Job 33:14 either so, or in two ways RVm (see De); as ordinal בִּשְׁנַת שְׁתַּיִם לְ 1 Kings 15:25 9t., etc.; (3) as round number, שְׁנַיִם עֵצִים 1 Kings 17:12 a few sticks (German 'ein paar'), compare 2 Kings 9:32; Isaiah 17:6; שְׁתַּיִם שָׁלשׁ Amos 4:8, מַּעַם וּשְׁתָּ֑יִם Nehemiah 13:20, compare Jeremiah 3:14 אֶחָד מֵעִיר וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁמָּחָה = a small number; Ezra 10:13 not for one or two days (but for many), 2 Kings 6:10.

2 twelve: with

noun masculine שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר Genesis 42:13 87t., לִשְׁנֵי עָשָׂר Exodus 28:21 4t.; with

noun feminine שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה Exodus 24:4 34t., שְׁתֵּי עֶשְׂרֵה Ezekiel 32:1,17; Ezekiel 33:21; before plural noun Genesis 17:20; Exodus 15:27 +; after plural noun Numbers 7:84 (twice in verse) +; before singular noun Exodus 28:21 +, Genesis 14:4 (12 year) +, etc.; as ordinal, יוֺם בְּיוֺם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר Numbers 7:78, בִּשְׁתֵּי עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה Ezekiel 32:1 +, etc.

3 with larger number: 10 (etc.) + 2, 2 Samuel 8:5; Judges 10:3 56t.; 2 10(etc.) Numbers 1:35 (P), 2 Chronicles 22:2 18t. (Kö^{ii. 1. 215 ff.} Ges^{§ 97f}.); 200 2+ 30, 1 Kings 20:15; 502as ordinal 2 Kings 15:27 2t.; compare 2 + 20, 1 Chronicles 24:17.

Overview

The Hebrew number שְׁנַיִם occurs roughly 769 times, appearing in every major section of the Old Testament. Far more than a simple numeral, “two” establishes patterns of witness, relationship, balance, division, and completion that run from Genesis through the Prophets and echo into New Testament theology.

Numeric Significance in Scripture

1. Confirmation and Certainty – Repetition in pairs underscores divine resolve. “Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been firmly decided by God” (Genesis 41:32).
2. Superlative Comparison – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
3. Division or Complement – The same number can portray separation (two nations, two kingdoms) or harmonious pairing (husband and wife, tablets of stone).

Duality in Creation

• Genesis highlights paired elements that order the cosmos: “God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16).
• Humanity is created male and female (Genesis 1:27), a foundational pairing that shapes marriage, family, and covenant analogies throughout Scripture.

Two as a Standard of Witness

Legal matters require at least two witnesses: “Only on the testimony of two or three witnesses shall a matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15). This principle safeguards justice, authenticates prophecy (Jeremiah 11:7), and frames later apostolic practice (though expressed in Greek). The pattern affirms God’s concern for verifiable truth.

Covenant and Law

• Two tablets of stone bear the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18), symbolizing the bilateral nature of covenant: God and His people.
• At Sinai the elders see “a paved work of sapphire stone” under God’s feet (Exodus 24:10) while Moses prepares to return with a second set, demonstrating both judgment and mercy in duplicate form.

Sacrificial and Liturgical Pairings

• Day of Atonement: “After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat” (Leviticus 16:8). Together they depict substitution and removal of sin.
• Regular offerings include two lambs daily (Numbers 28:3-4), two turtledoves or pigeons for purification (Leviticus 12:8), and two loaves at Pentecost (Leviticus 23:17), showing completeness in worship.
• Numbers 10:2 institutes two silver trumpets to summon assembly and order the march—unity through dual sounding.

Symbols in Architecture and Furniture

• The Tabernacle’s mercy seat is overshadowed by two cherubim (Exodus 25:18-20), guarding access yet signifying welcome through atoning blood.
• Solomon’s Temple boasts two bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21), representing stability and strength at the threshold of worship.
• Ezekiel’s visionary temple contains paired elements that mirror earlier patterns, assuring restored worship.

Prophetic and Eschatological Patterns

• Ezekiel merges two sticks into one (Ezekiel 37:22), prophesying reunion of divided Israel under a single King.
• Zechariah sees two olive trees (Zechariah 4:3-14), “the two anointed ones” who supply unceasing oil—anticipating faithful priest-king leadership and later imagery of two witnesses (Revelation 11).
• Hosea and Amos warn that Israel and Judah will not remain “two nations” indefinitely; God will unite His people.

Contrast and Comparison

Scripture often places two options before humanity: life and death (Deuteronomy 30:19), wisdom and folly (Proverbs 9), blessing and curse (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). The binary summons decisive allegiance.

Occurrences and Distribution

• Pentateuch: c. 330 times – especially Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers for ritual and census records.
• Historical Books: c. 190 times – military formations, architectural details, and royal chronicles.
• Wisdom Literature: c. 60 times – contrasts in Proverbs and practical instruction in Ecclesiastes.
• Major Prophets: c. 80 times – symbolic uses in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
• Minor Prophets: c. 40 times – covenant warnings and restoration promises.

The pervasive distribution underscores the Holy Spirit’s intentional use of simple numerics to convey layered meaning.

Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowings

The paired goats on the Day of Atonement prefigure Christ’s singular sacrifice that both satisfies God’s wrath and removes sin. Two cherubim at the ark, later paralleled by two angels at the empty tomb, frame the mercy seat and the resurrection as twin testimonies of completed redemption. The dual nature—divine and human—united in the one Messiah fulfills every righteous requirement hinted by the number.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Evangelism and Discipleship – Sending workers in pairs (modeled by Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, later by Jesus in Luke 10) provides accountability, mutual encouragement, and corroborated witness.
2. Church Governance – The precedent of multiple witnesses guides discipline (Matthew 18:16 citing Deuteronomy 19:15) and the verification of doctrine.
3. Personal Devotion – Recognizing Scriptural pairings encourages believers to hold truth and grace, faith and works, love of God and neighbor in healthy tension.

In every age the Spirit weaves the humble number “two” into the tapestry of revelation, reinforcing that the Word is established, witnessed, and harmoniously complete.

בִּשְׁנֵ֣י בִּשְׁנֵ֣ים בִּשְׁנֵ֤ים בִּשְׁנֵ֥ים בִּשְׁנֵֽי־ בִּשְׁנֵי־ בִּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ בִּשְׁנָ֑יִם בִּשְׁתֵּ֖י בִּשְׁתֵּ֛י בִּשְׁתֵּ֣י בִּשְׁתֵּ֥ים בִּשְׁתֵּ֧י בִּשְׁתַּ֛יִם בִּשְׁתַּ֣יִם ׀ בַשְּׁנַ֙יִם֙ בשני בשני־ בשנים בשתי בשתים הַשְּׁנֵ֤ים הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם השנים וְלִשְׁנַ֨יִם וּ֝בִשְׁתַּ֗יִם וּ֝שְׁתַּ֗יִם וּבִשְׁנֵ֣י וּבִשְׁנֵים֩ וּבִשְׁתֵּ֣י וּבִשְׁתֵּ֧ים וּבִשְׁתַּ֛יִם וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם וּשְׁנֵ֖י וּשְׁנֵ֛י וּשְׁנֵ֣י וּשְׁנֵ֣ים וּשְׁנֵ֤י וּשְׁנֵ֥י וּשְׁנֵ֥ים וּשְׁנֵ֧י וּשְׁנֵ֧ים וּשְׁנֵ֨י וּשְׁנֵי֙ וּשְׁנֵי֩ וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֤ם וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם וּשְׁנֵים־ וּשְׁנַ֔יִם וּשְׁנַ֖יִם וּשְׁנַ֗יִם וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ וּשְׁנַ֣יִם וּשְׁנַ֥יִם וּשְׁנָ֑יִם וּשְׁנָֽיִם׃ וּשְׁתֵּ֖י וּשְׁתֵּ֣י וּשְׁתֵּ֣י ׀ וּשְׁתֵּ֤י וּשְׁתֵּ֤ים וּשְׁתֵּ֥י וּשְׁתֵּ֧ים וּשְׁתֵּ֨י וּשְׁתֵּי֙ וּשְׁתֵּי֩ וּשְׁתֵּי֮ וּשְׁתֵּי־ וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ וּשְׁתַּ֛יִם וּשְׁתַּ֜יִם וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם וּשְׁתַּ֤יִם וּשְׁתַּ֥יִם וּשְׁתַּ֧יִם וּשְׁתָּֽיִם׃ ובשני ובשנים ובשתי ובשתים ולשנים ושני ושניהם ושנים ושנים־ ושנים׃ ושתי ושתי־ ושתים ושתים׃ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י כִּשְׁנֵי֙ כשני לִשְׁנֵ֖י לִשְׁנֵ֣י לִשְׁנֵ֣ים לִשְׁנֵ֥י לִשְׁנֵ֥ים לִשְׁנֵ֨י לִשְׁנֵֽי־ לִשְׁנֵי֙ לִשְׁנֵי֩ לִשְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם לִשְׁנַ֔יִם לִשְׁנַ֤יִם לִשְׁנַ֥יִם לִשְׁנָ֑יִם לִשְׁתֵּ֣י לִשְׁתֵּ֥י לִשְׁתֵּיהֶֽן׃ לשני לשני־ לשניהם לשנים לשתי לשתיהן׃ מִֽשְׁתֵּים־ מִשְּׁנֵ֖י מִשְּׁנֵ֣י מִשְּׁנֵ֥י מִשְּׁנֵ֨י מִשְּׁנֵיהֶ֔ם מִשְּׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ מִשְּׁתֵ֥י משני משניהם משניהם׃ משתי משתים־ ני ניהם שְּׁנֵ֤י שְׁ֚תַּיִם שְׁ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם שְׁ֠נֵי שְׁ֭תַּיִם שְׁנֵ֖י שְׁנֵ֖ים שְׁנֵ֛י שְׁנֵ֜ינוּ שְׁנֵ֞י שְׁנֵ֣י שְׁנֵ֣י ׀ שְׁנֵ֣ים שְׁנֵ֤י שְׁנֵ֤ים שְׁנֵ֥י שְׁנֵ֥ים שְׁנֵ֧י שְׁנֵ֧ים שְׁנֵ֨י שְׁנֵֽי־ שְׁנֵֽינוּ׃ שְׁנֵי֙ שְׁנֵי־ שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֛ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֜ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ שְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֨ם שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ שְׁנֵיהֶם֒ שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ שְׁנֵיכֶ֖ם שְׁנֵים־ שְׁנַ֔יִם שְׁנַ֖יִם שְׁנַ֗יִם שְׁנַ֙יִם֙ שְׁנַ֜יִם שְׁנַ֣יִם שְׁנַ֤יִם שְׁנַ֥יִם שְׁנַ֧יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַֽיִם־ שְׁנַיִם֒ שְׁנַיִם֩ שְׁנָ֑יִם שְׁנָֽיִם׃ שְׁתֵּ֖י שְׁתֵּ֛י שְׁתֵּ֞י שְׁתֵּ֣י שְׁתֵּ֣ים שְׁתֵּ֤י שְׁתֵּ֤ים שְׁתֵּ֥י שְׁתֵּ֥ים שְׁתֵּ֧י שְׁתֵּ֨ים שְׁתֵּֽי־ שְׁתֵּי֙ שְׁתֵּי֩ שְׁתֵּי־ שְׁתֵּיהֶ֔ם שְׁתֵּיהֶ֥ן שְׁתֵּיהֶם֙ שְׁתֵּים־ שְׁתַּ֔יִם שְׁתַּ֖יִם שְׁתַּ֗יִם שְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ שְׁתַּ֛יִם שְׁתַּ֣יִם שְׁתַּ֤יִם שְׁתַּ֥יִם שְׁתַּ֧יִם שְׁתַּ֨יִם שְׁתַּֽיִם־ שְׁתַּיִם֩ שְׁתָּ֑יִם שְׁתָּֽיִם׃ שְׁנֵ֣י שני שני־ שניהם שניהם׃ שניכם שנים שנים־ שנים׃ שנינו שנינו׃ שתי שתי־ שתיהם שתיהן שתים שתים־ שתים׃ תים ḇaš·šə·na·yim ḇaššənayim biš·na·yim biš·nā·yim biš·nê biš·nê- biš·nêm biš·ta·yim biš·tê biš·têm bishNayim bishNei bishNeim bishTayim bishTei bishTeim bišnayim bišnāyim bišnê bišnê- bišnêm bištayim bištê bištêm haš·šə·na·yim haš·šə·nêm hashsheNayim hashsheNeim haššənayim haššənêm kiš·nê kishNei kišnê liš·na·yim liš·nā·yim liš·nê liš·nê- liš·nê·hem liš·nêm liš·tê liš·tê·hen lishNayim lishnei lishneiHem lishNeim lishTei lishteiHen lišnayim lišnāyim lišnê lišnê- lišnêhem lišnêm lištê lištêhen miš·šə·nê miš·šə·nê·hem miš·šə·ṯê miš·têm- mishsheNei mishsheneiHem mishsheTei mishteim miššənê miššənêhem miššəṯê mištêm- nê nê·hem nêhem nei neiHem šə·na·yim šə·nā·yim šə·na·yim- šə·nê šə·nê- šə·nê·hem šə·nê·ḵem šə·nê·nū šə·nêm šə·nêm- šə·ta·yim šə·tā·yim šə·ta·yim- šə·tê šə·tê- šə·tê·hem šə·tê·hen šə·têm šə·têm- šənayim šənāyim šənayim- šənê šənê- šənêhem šənêḵem šənêm šənêm- šənênū šətayim šətāyim šətayim- šətê šətê- šətêhem šətêhen šətêm šətêm- sheNayim sheNei sheneiChem sheneiHem sheneim sheNeinu sheTayim sheTei sheteiHem sheteiHen sheTeim ta·yim tayim ū·ḇiš·nê ū·ḇiš·nêm ū·ḇiš·ta·yim ū·ḇiš·tê ū·ḇiš·têm ū·šə·na·yim ū·šə·nā·yim ū·šə·nê ū·šə·nê·hem ū·šə·nêm ū·šə·nêm- ū·šə·ta·yim ū·šə·tā·yim ū·šə·tê ū·šə·tê- ū·šə·têm ūḇišnê ūḇišnêm ūḇištayim ūḇištê ūḇištêm ūšənayim ūšənāyim ūšənê ūšənêhem ūšənêm ūšənêm- ūšətayim ūšətāyim ūšətê ūšətê- ūšətêm usheNayim usheNei usheneiHem usheNeim usheTayim usheTei usheTeim uvishNei uvishNeim uvishTayim uvishTei uvishTeim vashsheNayim velishNayim wə·liš·na·yim wəlišnayimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts