סָעָה
𐤎𐤏𐤄
çâʻâh
H5584 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sweep, rush violently, or surge (typically used of wind or storm); to move turbulently with great force, as in a storm or tempest. In some contexts, conveys the sense of being swept or carried away with overwhelming power, especially by wind-like forces. The word's semantic range includes the actions of storm winds and metaphoric use for overwhelming or tumultuous motion.
Semantic Range
to sweep away (by wind), to rush in violently (like a storm), to be storm-tossed, to surge or move turbulently
Root / Etymology
From the root סעה, which is onomatopoeic, possibly mimicking the sound of storm or roaring wind; the core meaning is 'to sweep, rush, be stormy.' The verb itself denotes action connected to violent movement, especially of wind or weather phenomena.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סָעָה is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in poetic and prophetic contexts to describe the rushing or sweeping force of wind and storms (e.g., Job 30:15; Ezekiel 1:4). The term conveys a sense of uncontrollable, natural power, often associated with divine agency in the weather. It is distinct from other Hebrew roots for wind or storm (such as סער, H5590, 'to storm, be tempestuous'), though the words are occasionally confused in translation. English translations often render סָעָה as 'rush,' 'sweep,' or 'storm,' but these do not always capture the nuance of violent, turbulent movement associated with the word. There is little evidence for significant development in the use of the term across periods, but its poetic resonance is more pronounced in later prophetic literature. The word should not be conflated with later or unrelated terms for wind (רוּחַ, רֶמֶשׂ) or gods of storm known from surrounding cultures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to rush; storm.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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סעה (s-ʿ-h) — to sweep, to rush violently, to surge
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5584-01 |
סֹעָ֣ה | soah | HVqrfsa |
stormy | storm-surging one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5584-01 |
Psalms 55:9 | סֹעָ֣ה | soah | HVqrfsa |
stormy | storm-surging one |