שִׁרְיוֹן
𐤔𐤓𐤉𐤅𐤍
Shireyon
H8303 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name for a mountain (Sirion), specifically a prominent peak in the Anti-Lebanon range. Used as a geographic designation for the mountain complex otherwise known as Mount Hermon, particularly in reference to its northern slopes as named by certain non-Israelite groups. The term conveys a sense of lofty elevation or armor-like protection in some etymological interpretations, though this is not explicit in the biblical usage.
Semantic Range
proper name for a mountain peak (Sirion), alternative name for Mount Hermon, Sidonian/Amorite designation for Hermon; not used in generic sense for 'armor' or 'sheeting' in this context
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שרי or uncertain root, possibly carrying the notion of 'armor' or 'coat of mail,' reflecting a metaphor for the mountain's imposing, protective, or gleaming appearance. Ultimately, the term appears to be a proper name borrowed from a local linguistic tradition (likely Amorite or other Northwest Semitic influence). Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שִׁרְיוֹן (Shiryôn/Sirion) occurs as the Sidonian (Phoenician) or Amorite name for Mount Hermon (see Deuteronomy 3:9, Psalm 29:6); Israelites referred to the same massif as Hermon. The use of multiple names highlights how mountains and locations could bear distinct designations among neighboring peoples, reflecting varied cultural and linguistic environments. The association with 'armor' or 'coat of mail' is likely an etymological folk explanation; the biblical usage exclusively denotes the physical mountain, not a metaphorical or symbolic meaning. Later translations sometimes rendered Sirion as 'Mount Sirion' or equated it directly with Hermon, but this obscures the regional and cultural specificity of the name in ancient context. The English term 'Sirion' is a transliteration; references to 'Mount Sirion' found in some traditions aim to clarify the geographic feature, though the Hebrew simply employs the proper name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
and שִׂרְיֹן; the same as שְׂרָיָה (i.e. sheeted with snow); Shirjon or Sirjon, a peak of the Lebanon; Sirion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שרי (sh-r-y) — to protect, to cover, to gleam; mountain name (uncertain etymology)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5630 | סִרְיֹן | in his body-armor |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8303-01 |
שִׂרְיֹ֑ן | sireyon | HNp |
Sirion | Sirion | 1 |
H8303-02 |
וְ֝/שִׂרְיֹ֗ן | vesireyon | HC/Np |
and Sirion | and Sirion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8303-01 |
Deuteronomy 3:9 | שִׂרְיֹ֑ן | sireyon | HNp |
Sirion | Sirion |
H8303-02 |
Psalms 29:6 | וְ֝/שִׂרְיֹ֗ן | vesireyon | HC/Np |
and Sirion | and Sirion |