שִׂיא
𐤔𐤉𐤀
sîyʼ
H7863 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A raised place, height, or eminence; by extension, exaltation, dignity, or high status. The term can refer to literal elevation (a prominent feature of the landscape, something lifted up), or, metaphorically, to social, political, or moral eminence and excellence.
Semantic Range
height, elevation, raised feature, eminence, loftiness, exaltation, distinction, dignity, excellence
Root / Etymology
Root שׂוא (שׂ-א-א), meaning 'to lift up, bear, carry, exalt.' The form שִׂיא likely derives from a nominal pattern expressing the state or result of being lifted up — thus, 'that which is raised' or 'elevation.' The root is associated with lifting, rising, or bearing (especially in reference to status or honor).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, שִׂיא appears mainly in poetry and wisdom literature (e.g., Job 20:6, Job 21:22), where it expresses both literal and figurative elevation. Its primary sense is that of height or something raised up (whether physical or figurative), and from there, the notion of dignity, eminence, or excellence derives. In contexts referring to human beings (such as leaders or nobility), it suggests status or authority. When applied to God, it denotes supreme exaltation or transcendent majesty. English translations sometimes use 'excellency,' 'height,' or 'loftiness', but these may not fully convey the breadth of its poetic or metaphorical range. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for 'height' (e.g., רָם, גָּבֹהַּ) by its association with the act or result of being lifted, rather than inherent height. There is no evidence for a shift in meaning from the Iron Age through the later biblical period; the usage remains largely consistent within the limited corpus.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as שׂוֹא by permutation; elevation; excellency.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂוא (ś-w-ʾ) — lift up, bear, carry, exalt
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7863-01 |
שִׂיא֑/וֹ | sio | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his-excellency | his exalted height | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7863-01 |
Job 20:6 | שִׂיא֑/וֹ | sio | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his-excellency | his exalted height |