שָׁרָה
𐤔𐤓𐤄
shârâh
H8281 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To strive, contend, persist (especially with an adversary or divine being); in some contexts, to exert oneself or persevere. While some uses can convey the sense of prevailing, contending is the central action implied.
Semantic Range
to strive, to contend (with adversary or God), to wrestle, to persist, to prevail (by persistence or struggle)
Root / Etymology
The word שָׁרָה (shârâh) derives from the root שָׂרָה (ש־ר־ה), whose primary sense relates to contending, wrestling, or striving. The core root meaning is to persist or contend, with possible extension to prevailing in conflict. The root is related to the noun שַׂר (sar, 'prince' or 'ruler'), indicating someone who contends or stands up. However, the form שָׁרָה itself mainly appears as a verb of striving or wrestling. Etymology beyond core Semitic root is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, שָׁרָה occurs most notably in Genesis 32:29, where Jacob is told that he has 'striven' (שָׂרִיתָ) with God and with humans and has prevailed—a pivotal event that gives rise to the name יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrael, 'he strives/persists with God'). The verb is rare and primarily poetic, distinct from verbs like לחם (lacham, 'to fight in war') or דין (din, 'to judge, contend in legal setting'). Translations sometimes render שָׁרָה as 'to have power,' 'to persist,' 'to be a prince,' or 'to prevail,' but these can obscure the sense of active striving or wrestling. Later on, the meaning semantically narrows and the occurrence in Hebrew texts becomes limited. There is no evidence the word primarily means 'to free' or 'to direct' in biblical usage—those possible senses are speculative and not primary.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to free; direct.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂרה (s-r-h) — to strive, contend, persist, wrestle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3481 | יִשְׂרְאֵלִי | the Israelite |
| H4951 | מִשְׂרָה | the dominion |
| H8280 | שָׂרָה | you persevered and prevailed |
| H8304 | שְׂרָיָה | to YHWH-has-prevailed |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8281-01 |
שֵֽׁרִיתִ֖י/ךָ | sheritikha | HVpp1cs/Sp2ms |
your remnant | I wrestled with you | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8281-01 |
Jeremiah 15:11 | שֵֽׁרִיתִ֖י/ךָ | sheritikha | HVpp1cs/Sp2ms |
your remnant | I wrestled with you |