שָׂרַר
𐤔𐤓𐤓
sârar
H8323 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rule, exercise authority, or act as a prince; to assert or possess dominion, typically in social, familial, or political contexts. The verb denotes the exertion of leadership, governance, or control, whether by a recognized ruler, one acting with assumed authority, or through the establishment of hierarchical order. Reflexively, it can imply making oneself into a person of authority or acting with self-asserted power.
Semantic Range
to rule, govern, act as a leader, bear authority, make oneself a ruler, exercise dominion, assert leadership
Root / Etymology
Root: שָׂרַר (š-r-r). Derived from the root שׂ-ר-ר, which conveys the ideas of rulership, authority, or governance. The noun forms related to this root (such as שַׂר, 'prince,' 'leader,' or even 'chief') emphasize personal or institutional leadership. The verb form emphasizes the act or process of ruling or assuming authority, not merely holding a title.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שָׂרַר appears in poetic or figurative contexts, typically describing exercising rule or becoming a leader, often within tribal, family, or political structures in ancient Israel. Its usage is infrequent, mostly found in forms like the hitpaʻel (reflexive), suggesting the act of making oneself a ruler or acting with princely self-assertion. The nuance of self-elevation is notable, especially in contexts where legitimacy or social ascent is implied. The basic semantic field overlaps with related terms such as מָשַׁל (to rule, reign, often referring to wider or kingly dominion) and מָשָׁל (proverb, by extension to have sway or be illustrative of authority through speech). Later tradition sometimes renders the idea behind שָׂרַר as 'to make oneself a prince,' but this idiomatic English translation can obscure the more general sense of asserting leadership or dominion. In translation, 'bear rule,' 'be lord,' or 'exercise authority' may capture some but not all nuances; the term does not necessarily imply kingship but rather high status or governing responsibility, especially within a family or local context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to have (transitively, exercise; reflexively, get) dominion; [idiom] altogether, make self a prince, (bear) rule.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שרר (š-r-r) — rule, exercise authority, act as a prince, bear dominion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5371 | נֵרְגַּל שַׁרְאֶצֶר | ruling-official |
| H5493 | סוּר | ruling chief |
| H5620 | סַר | ruling-official |
| H8269 | שַׂר | among rulers |
| H8270 | שֹׁר | to your navel-cord |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8323-05 |
יָשֹֽׂרוּ | yasoru | HVqi3mp |
rule | they rule | 2 |
H8323-03 |
שֹׂרֵ֣ר | sorer | HVqrmsa |
ruler | stubborn one | 1 |
H8323-02 |
הִשְׂתָּרֵֽר | hisetarer | HVta |
you lord | to make oneself ruler | 1 |
H8323-04 |
תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥ר | tisetarer | HVti2ms |
you would lord | you will make yourself a ruler | 1 |
H8323-01 |
הֵשִׂ֖ירוּ | hesiru | HVhp3cp |
set up princes | they caused to rule | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8323-04 |
Numbers 16:13 | תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥ר | tisetarer | HVti2ms |
you would lord | you will make yourself a ruler |
H8323-02 |
Numbers 16:13 | הִשְׂתָּרֵֽר | hisetarer | HVta |
you lord | to make oneself ruler |
H8323-05 |
Isaiah 32:1 | יָשֹֽׂרוּ | yasoru | HVqi3mp |
will rule | they rule |
H8323-01 |
Hosea 8:4 | הֵשִׂ֖ירוּ | hesiru | HVhp3cp |
set up princes | they caused to rule |
H8323-05 |
Proverbs 8:16 | יָשֹׂ֑רוּ | yasoru | HVqi3mp |
rule | they rule |
H8323-03 |
Esther 1:22 | שֹׂרֵ֣ר | sorer | HVqrmsa |
ruler | stubborn one |