אֻשַּׁרְנָא
𐤀𐤔𐤓𐤍𐤀
ʼushsharnâʼ
H846 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A wall or strong barrier, typically constructed of stone or brick, forming the upright protective or enclosing structure of a city, building, or other enclosed space. The term emphasizes the function of uprightness, stability, and separation from what lies outside, distinguishing it from other kinds of boundaries.
Semantic Range
wall, upright stone wall, city enclosure, barrier
Root / Etymology
The word derives from the root אשׁר (’sh-r), whose core meaning relates to being straight, upright, or firm. Though the Hebrew root often has the sense of 'happiness' or 'blessedness' in other forms, in this context it points to firmness or uprightness. 'אֻשַּׁרְנָא' is the Aramaic form, serving as a direct reflex of the Hebrew root. The Aramaic nominal ending -נא indicates a substantive form. The connection to walls comes from the notion of upright, strong, and stable construction.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This Aramaic term appears in late biblical texts, especially in books composed or set in the Persian and Hellenistic periods, such as Ezra and Daniel, where Aramaic portions feature vocabulary parallel to Hebrew but often with subtle shifts in nuance. 'אֻשַּׁרְנָא' is distinct from other Aramaic wall terms such as 'חֹמָא' (chomā’), which emphasizes defensive function, whereas 'אֻשַּׁרְנָא' highlights the upright, firm character of the structure. In translation, the English 'wall' accurately conveys its general meaning, but may lose the specific connotation of 'uprightness' embedded in the Aramaic form. In post-biblical Aramaic, similar terms persist but are often replaced by more general words for wall or barrier. The use of 'אֻשַּׁרְנָא' marks texts as belonging to a context where Aramaic was a language of administration and daily life, especially in the Persian period, reflecting both continuity with Hebrew vocabulary and distinct semantic developments.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to אָשַׁר; a wall (from its uprightness); wall.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אשׁר (ʾ-š-r) — uprightness, firmness, straightness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H846-01 |
וְ/אֻשַּׁרְנָ֥/א | veusharena | AC/Ncmsd/Td |
and-its-completion | and the upright wall | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences