Sin (שׂ) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with sin

Quick reference

Hebrew Name:
שִׂין
English Name:
sin
Pronunciation:
seen
Letter:
שׂ
Speech Sound:
consonant
Numerical Value:
300

Pronunciation guide

The letter Sin carries a dot over its left branch and is pronounced as “s” like in “sun.” When the dot is over the right branch, it becomes the letter Shin and is pronounced as “sh” like in “shoe.” This “Shin Dot” can significantly alter the meaning of a word based on its pronunciation. For instance, take the similar words “שָׂבַע” (saba, ) means “to satisfy,” whereas “שָׁבוּעַ” (shabuwa, ) means “a week.”

Numerical significance

In Gematria, the traditional Hebrew numbering system, Shin/Sin represent the number 300. While 300 doesn’t carry as much inherent symbolic weight as some smaller numbers in Hebrew tradition, it is considered significant in certain contexts, such as the 300 men with Gideon () or the length of Noah’s ark in cubits ().

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The original pictograph for Shin/Sin is debated, but it may have represented teeth, conveying ideas of eating, destroying, or changing. In Hebrew tradition, similar to Shin, it is often connected to the concept of divinity and spirituality, but doesn’t have as prominent individual cultural or symbolic meanings.