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זֵר

𐤆𐤓

zêr

H2213 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זָרַר to bind, to press, to surround

Definition

An ornamental band, border, or rim encircling the upper part of an object, especially as an architectural or cultic feature. Predominantly refers to a decorative molding or border on sacred furniture, particularly within the tabernacle and temple settings. The word does not denote a functional crown worn on the head, but rather an ornamental feature designed to encircle and emphasize a sacred object.

Semantic Range

ornamental border, encircling molding, decorative band, rim around altar/table/ark, architectural feature on cultic objects

Root / Etymology

Root: זָרַר (z-r-r), likely meaning 'to bind, press, or encompass.' זֵר (zêr) derives from this root in the sense of something that surrounds or encircles. The form functions as a noun, designating a band or encircling border. The morphological development aligns with other nouns describing objects that enclose or surround.

Historical & Contextual Notes

זֵר is used exclusively in descriptions of the tabernacle or temple furniture, notably the golden altar of incense (Exod 30:3), the table of the bread of the Presence (Exod 25:24; 37:11), and the ark of the covenant (Exod 25:11). This term refers to decorative architectural or cultic bands and is never used for personal adornment or a ruler's crown in the Hebrew Bible. The imagery of encircling or surrounding is core to its meaning, distinct from other crown words such as עֲטָרָה (ʿǎṭārāh), which refers to a crown worn on the head. In later Jewish contexts, זֵר is sometimes interpreted symbolically (e.g., in rabbinic literature, where it is associated with honor or holiness), but in its biblical usage, it refers strictly to physical, ornamental architecture. English translations as 'crown' can mislead, as the primary meaning is an ornamental border for cultic objects. The term does not occur in narrative or poetic contexts outside of these descriptions, and its meaning does not shift across periods, reflecting its technical, ritual function in Israelite religious practice.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָרַר (in the sense of scattering); a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding; crown.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זרר (z-r-r) — to bind, to press, to surround

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2237 זָרַר and he sneezed

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2213-02 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsc molding encircling border of 8
H2213-01 לְ/זֵר֗/וֹ lezero HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms its-border to his encircling border 2

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2213-02 Exodus 25:11 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsc molding encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 25:24 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsc molding encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 25:25 זֵר zer HNcmsc a border encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 30:3 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsa molding encircling border of
H2213-01 Exodus 30:4 לְ/זֵר֗/וֹ lezero HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms its-border to his encircling border
H2213-02 Exodus 37:2 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsa molding encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 37:11 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsa molding encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 37:12 זֵר zer HNcmsc a molding encircling border of
H2213-02 Exodus 37:26 זֵ֥ר zer HNcmsa molding encircling border of
H2213-01 Exodus 37:27 לְ/זֵר֗/וֹ lezero HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms its crown to his encircling border
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