סֶרַח
𐤎𐤓𐤇
çerach
H5629 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A remainder or surplus; that which remains in excess after the main portion is accounted for, often used to describe an overflow, surplus, or additional part left over. In some contexts, it may refer to something that is superfluous or in excess, rather than a necessary or intended component.
Semantic Range
surplus, excess, remainder, superfluity, additional portion, overflow
Root / Etymology
From the root סָרַח (sāraḥ), meaning 'to be redundant, to be superfluous, to overflow.' The noun סֶרַח (serach) is a denominative form denoting that which is left over or additional, derived from the verbal sense of exceeding or overflowing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, סֶרַח appears in contexts describing additional portions, excesses, or that which is left after an initial allocation (e.g., Numbers 5:7 uses it to describe 'the surplus' that remains). The nuance is not simply 'remnant' in the sense of a surviving group (like שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit) but more specifically the extra or surplus generated by an excess rather than what survives destruction or loss. Later Rabbinic Hebrew retains the sense of a superfluity or addendum. English translations sometimes nuance the word as 'surplus,' 'remainder,' or 'accession,' but may obscure the sense of excess inherent in the root. Not to be confused with terms denoting preservation or survival. The term had accounting, legal, and ritual relevance in ancient Israelite contexts. There is little to no theological freight carried by the word itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָרַח; a redundancy; remnant.
Bantu Hebrew
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סרח (s-r-ḥ) — exceeding, overflowing, being superfluous
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5629-01 |
וְ/סֶ֨רַח֙ | veserach | HC/Ncmsa |
And the overhang | and surplus | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5629-01 |
Exodus 26:12 | וְ/סֶ֨רַח֙ | veserach | HC/Ncmsa |
And the overhang | and surplus |