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שׂוּר

𐤔𐤅𐤓

sûwr

H7786 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׂוּר to rule, to govern, to exercise authority, to prevail

Definition

To exercise control or dominion, particularly through force, power, or authority; to be ruler, reign, or act as a leader or chief over others. In various contexts, it can indicate the act of governing, subduing, or possessing the power to make and install leaders (such as appointing princes or officials).

Semantic Range

to rule, to have dominion, to possess authority, to appoint or make ruler, to act as prince, to govern; to subdue, to prevail

Root / Etymology

Root: שׂוּר. The verb likely derives from the root meaning 'to rule, exert power, prevail.' While there has historically been confusion with the root סוּר ('to turn aside, depart'), lexical evidence supports שׂוּר as a distinct root relating specifically to the exercise of authority or rulership. Cognate evidence from related Semitic languages suggests senses of governing or controlling, though the root is rare in Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שׂוּר is a rare root in Biblical Hebrew, only attested a small number of times, most notably in poetic or archaic contexts (e.g., Genesis 41:40, where Pharaoh declares Joseph to 'rule' [שׂוּר] over his house). The term often appears in royal or administrative contexts, suggesting official exercising of authority. There is historical confusion with the root סוּר, which means 'to turn aside'—but context and ancient translations support the sense of 'governing' for שׂוּר. The nuance of 'appointing princes' or 'crowning' often reflects the broader semantic field of installing rulers rather than specifically performing a coronation. Later translations (Septuagint, Targumim) tend to render it with Greek and Aramaic words for ruling or governing. In English translations, it is often rendered 'rule', 'be over', 'have authority', or 'make ruler', but this may not always convey the full force of the original word, which can imply actual control and power, not merely titular leadership. Usage is concentrated in narrative and administrative texts dealing with royal power or significant leadership appointments.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to vanquish; by implication, to rule (causatively, crown); make princes, have power, reign. See סוּר.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סור (s-w-r) — turn aside, depart, remove

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3249 יָסוּר my departing ones
H5493 סוּר turned-aside one
H5494 סוּר turned-aside ones
H5495 סוּר Sur Gate
H5518 סִיר in the cooking-pot

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7786-01 וַ/יָּ֧שַׂר vayasar HC/Vqw3ms and he strove and he caused to turn aside 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7786-01 Judges 9:22 וַ/יָּ֧שַׂר vayasar HC/Vqw3ms ruled and he caused to turn aside
H7786-01 Hosea 12:5 וָ/יָּ֤שַׂר vayasar HC/Vqw3ms and he strove and he caused to turn aside
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