שַׁעַר
𐤔𐤏𐤓
shaʻar
H8180 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A numerical measure, particularly used in the form of a multiplier specifying quantity (as in 'hundredfold'). The word denotes a portion, share, increment, or multiplication of an amount, especially in quantitative idioms. The primary usage is to indicate the degree to which something is increased, often in agricultural or economic contexts.
Semantic Range
portion, measure, increment, fold (multiplier), product of calculation, numerical share, degree of increase
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁעַר (sha'ar), meaning 'to reckon, to estimate, to calculate.' The noun שַׁעַר (shaʻar) is a derived term denoting the result or product of reckoning, hence a computed portion or fold (as in 'one hundredfold').
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁעַר appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible and most often in constructions such as 'מֵאָה שַׁעַר' (me'ah sha'ar), meaning 'a hundredfold.' The noun is part of an idiomatic phrase and does not independently refer to a physical object (such as a city gate, which is שַׁעַר H8179 from a different root). The sense of 'measure' or 'fold' as a multiplier aligns with agricultural contexts, referring to the yield produced compared to what was sown (e.g., Isaac's 'hundredfold' yield in Gen 26:12). Later Hebrew restricts שַׁעַר for calculation and estimation, while other terms such as מִדָּה (middah, 'measure') refer to physical or standard measures. English translations usually render the phrase as 'hundredfold,' but this can obscure the arithmetic nuance intended in the Hebrew phrase.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁעַר; a measure (as a section); (hundred-) fold.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁער (sh-ʿ-r) — to reckon, to calculate, to estimate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7778 | שׁוֹעֵר | the gate-guard |
| H8179 | שַׁעַר | in the gate |
| H8182 | שֹׁעָר | the detestable ones |
| H8186 | שַׁעֲרוּרָה | appalling outrage |
| H8187 | שְׁעַרְיָה | and Yahweh-has-opened |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8180-01 |
שְׁעָרִ֑ים | shearim | HNcmpa |
fold | reckoned measures | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8180-01 |
Genesis 26:12 | שְׁעָרִ֑ים | shearim | HNcmpa |
fold | reckoned measures |