שׁוּר
𐤔𐤅𐤓
shûwr
H7790 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person or group acting as an adversary, specifically one who lies in wait, sets an ambush, or harbors hostility toward another. The term denotes not merely a rival or opponent but an active enemy, often characterized by secrecy, cunning, or a predatory posture. It is used to describe both personal and collective enemies, especially those intent on harm through covert or surprise means. The semantic range extends from overt hostility to the tactical posture of enmity resulting in ambush or surprise attack.
Semantic Range
enemy, foe, adversary (especially one who lies in wait or ambushes); someone harboring hostility; hostile watcher
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שׁוּר (sh-w-r), which carries a basic sense of 'to look at, gaze, observe carefully.' The noun form appears to develop from the notion of one who looks for opportunity—specifically, to ambush or lie in wait. Thus, the lexical meaning carries a transition from perception/observation to active enmity, especially enmity manifested in ambush or hostile intent.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term שׁוּר is rare in Biblical Hebrew, appearing in contexts that emphasize not simply an enemy in the sense of a generic opponent (cf. צָר, אֹיֵב), but an adversary whose threat is linked to surveillance, patience, and the act of lying in wait. This captures a shade of enmity where watchfulness and cunning are highlighted. In earlier Israelite texts, the word functions more vividly in the sense of a hostile watcher or ambusher, whereas in post-exilic literature, its usage is extremely rare or absent. Standard English translations—often rendering the word as 'enemy' or 'foe'—do not fully capture the distinct tactical or predatory sense embedded in the Hebrew term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שִׁימוֹן; a foe (as lying in wait); enemy.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שור (sh-w-r) — to look, gaze, observe carefully
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4884 | מְשׂוּרָה | in a measured vessel |
| H7788 | שׁוּר | your wandering women |
| H7789 | שׁוּר | I attentively observe him |
| H7791 | שׁוּר | Encircling Wall |
| H7792 | שׁוּר | the encircling-walls |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7790-01 |
בְּ/שׁ֫וּרָ֥/י | beshuray | HR/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
on-my-watchers | in my ambushing foes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7790-01 |
Psalms 92:12 | בְּ/שׁ֫וּרָ֥/י | beshuray | HR/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
on-my-watchers | in my ambushing foes |