שַׂהֲרֹן
𐤔𐤄𐤓𐤍
sahărôn
H7720 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A round ornament, typically a crescent-shaped pendant or decorative amulet, worn around the neck (particularly by women) as jewelry; denotes a specific kind of adornment, often shaped like a small moon or crescent.
Semantic Range
crescent-shaped pendant, moon-shaped ornament, decorative amulet, necklace ornament, jewelry piece (especially for the neck or camels)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root סהר (s-h-r), meaning 'moon' or 'crescent.' The form שַׂהֲרֹן (sahărôn) designates an object associated with that shape, specifically referring to crescent-shaped ornaments. The suffix -ון (-ôn) forms a diminutive or object noun, indicating a small or typical example of something with a crescent form.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׂהֲרֹן appears in biblical contexts (notably Isa 3:18; Judg 8:21, 26) describing jewelry worn by women or, in the Gideon narrative, by camels, indicating both feminine adornment and its use as valuable booty. Its identification with the crescent shape is clear from the underlying root and from archaeological parallels of crescent pendants in ancient Near Eastern material culture, where they often symbolized lunar deities or served as prestige items. English translations have rendered it alternately as 'ornament' or 'round tire,' but 'crescent pendant' is more accurate. The shape likely evoked both aesthetic and possible protective connotations. The term is distinct from other jewelry words in Hebrew (such as עֲגִיל, 'earring'), delineating a recognizably moon-shaped necklace. In later periods, the same root yields terms indicating 'moon.' The translation 'round tire' is a product of older English versions influenced by contemporary jewelry terminology and does not convey the object's actual form or cultural significance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as סַהַר; a round pendant for the neck; ornament, round tire like the moon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סהר (s-h-r) — roundness, crescent form, moon-shape
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7720-01 |
הַ/שַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים | hasaharonim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the crescents | the crescent pendants | 2 |
H7720-02 |
וְ/הַ/שַּׂהֲרֹנִֽים | vehasaharonim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the crescents | and the crescent-shaped pendants | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7720-01 |
Judges 8:21 | הַ/שַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים | hasaharonim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the ornaments | the crescent pendants |
H7720-01 |
Judges 8:26 | הַ/שַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים | hasaharonim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the crescents | the crescent pendants |
H7720-02 |
Isaiah 3:18 | וְ/הַ/שַּׂהֲרֹנִֽים | vehasaharonim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the crescents | and the crescent-shaped pendants |