שׁ
Shin
Teeth, to consume, fire, God's name, peace
Shin (שׁ) is the twenty-first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it is one of the most visually striking and spiritually significant letters. Its three-pronged shape resembles flames of fire — and indeed, God often reveals Himself through fire: the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the tongues of fire at Pentecost. Shin is the first letter of שַׁדַּי (Shaddai, God Almighty), שָׁלוֹם (Shalom, peace), and שְׁמַע (Shema, hear). The letter Shin appears on every mezuzah (the scroll on Jewish doorposts), representing God's protective presence over the home. Its three prongs are said to represent the three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) or the three-fold nature of God.
How to Pronounce Shin
With a dot on the upper right (שׁ), it makes a 'Sh' sound. With a dot on the upper left (שׂ), it's called 'Sin' and makes an 'S' sound.
“Hear (Shema), O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Ancient Pictographic Form
The ancient Shin resembled teeth or flames — three pointed prongs rising upward. It evolved through Phoenician into the Greek Sigma (Σ) and the Latin S.
Pictograph: Teeth or flames of fire
Spiritual Significance
Shin represents the divine name, fire, and transformation. Its three prongs connect to the three-fold holy (Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh) and the tripartite nature of human beings (body, soul, spirit). On the mezuzah, Shin stands for Shaddai — 'Guardian of the doors of Israel.' Fire in Scripture represents God's purifying presence.
Connection to Scripture
The Shema — Israel's central declaration of faith — begins with Shin: 'Hear (Shema) O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One' (Deuteronomy 6:4). God revealed Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty) to Abraham. The burning bush (fire/Shin) is where Moses encountered God.
Words That Begin with Shin
Shalom
Peace
Shabbat
Sabbath
Shema
Hear, listen
Shem
Name
Shaddai
God Almighty
Modern Hebrew Usage
In modern Hebrew, Shin appears in some of the most important words: שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace), שַׁבָּת (Shabbat, Sabbath), שְׁמַע (Shema, hear), שֵׁם (shem, name), and שָׁמַיִם (shamayim, heaven).
People Also Ask
Why is Shin on the mezuzah?
The letter Shin (שׁ) on the mezuzah stands for 'Shaddai' (שַׁדַּי, God Almighty). It's also read as an acronym: 'Shomer Daltot Yisrael' — 'Guardian of the Doors of Israel.' It represents God's protective presence over the home.
What is the difference between Shin and Sin?
Shin (שׁ) has a dot on the upper RIGHT and makes a 'Sh' sound (as in Shalom). Sin (שׂ) has a dot on the upper LEFT and makes an 'S' sound (as in Yisrael). They share the same letter shape but are distinguished by the dot placement.
Fun Fact
The letter Shin (שׁ) appears on every mezuzah — the small scroll placed on Jewish doorposts. It stands for 'Shaddai' (שַׁדַּי), which is also read as an acronym: 'Shomer Daltot Yisrael' — 'Guardian of the Doors of Israel.'
Learn the Hebrew Alphabet Step by Step
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