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סַעַר

𐤎𐤏𐤓

çaʻar

H5591 noun

SILEX Entry

Root סער to storm, to rage, be violently agitated

Definition

A violent atmospheric disturbance characterized by strong winds, a tempest, storm, or whirlwind. The term refers both to literal meteorological phenomena—particularly windstorms of a destructive or dramatic nature—and, by extension, to powerful manifestations of divine agency or acts of upheaval. In poetic and prophetic texts, it may symbolize the overwhelming force of nature or of divine judgment.

Semantic Range

storm, tempest, whirlwind, violent wind, hurricane, atmospheric disturbance, figurative of overwhelming force or divine action

Root / Etymology

From the verbal root סָעַר (sa'ar), meaning 'to storm, to rage, to be violently agitated.' The noun סַעַר (çaʻar) directly derives from this root, denoting a storm, tempest, or whirlwind. The feminine form, סְעָרָה (seʻarah), carries the same meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

סַעַר appears in various biblical genres, including narrative, poetry, and prophetic oracles. It often signifies more than meteorological events; in prophetic texts (e.g., Ezekiel, Zechariah), the 'storm' serves as a metaphor for divine intervention or judgment, highlighting Yahweh's power to disrupt or reorder the world. In narrative passages (e.g., Job 38:1), a 'whirlwind' (סַעַר or סְעָרָה) is the dramatic means by which Yahweh addresses or reveals Himself, paralleling other ancient Near Eastern literary motifs where deities manifest through storms. The term differs from related words like רוּחַ (ruaḥ, 'wind,' 'spirit'), which may indicate a gentler or more general movement of air, or זֶרֶם (zerem, 'torrent, downpour'), which stresses water rather than wind. Standard translations such as 'storm,' 'tempest,' or 'whirlwind' capture the core phenomena but may underrepresent the Hebrew term's rich literary role as a symbol of uncontrollable or unstoppable power, especially as an instrument of divine will. The use of this term remains consistent from the monarchic through the post-exilic period, although its metaphorical deployment becomes more pronounced in later prophetic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (feminine) סְעָרָה; from סָעַר; a hurricane; storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סער (s-ʿ-r) — to storm, to rage, to be violently agitated

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5590 סָעַר she was storm-tossed

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5591-11 סְעָרָ֜ה searah HNcfsa the storm raging storm 5
H5591-14 וּ/סְעָרָ֔ה usearah HC/Ncfsa and tempest and her storm 3
H5591-10 סַעֲרַ֣ת saarat HNcfsc storm storm of 2
H5591-09 סַ֖עַר saar HNcmsa storm storm-of 2
H5591-15 וְ/סַ֖עַר vesaar HC/Ncmsa and a storm and storm-of 2
H5591-01 בַּֽ/סְעָרָ֖ה basearah HRd/Ncfsa in a whirlwind in the storm 2
H5591-12 סְעָר֖וֹת searot HNcfpa of-storms raging storms 2
H5591-05 הַ/סַּ֧עַר hasaar HTd/Ncmsa the storm the storm 1
H5591-03 בְּ/סַעֲרֶ֑/ךָ besaarekha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms in-your-storm in your storm 1
H5591-07 ה/סערה hsrh HTd/Ncfsa the storm the raging storm 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5591-01 2 Kings 2:1 בַּֽ/סְעָרָ֖ה basearah HRd/Ncfsa in a whirlwind in the storm
H5591-01 2 Kings 2:11 בַּֽ/סְעָרָ֖ה basearah HRd/Ncfsa in a whirlwind in the storm
H5591-14 Isaiah 29:6 וּ/סְעָרָ֔ה usearah HC/Ncfsa and tempest and her storm
H5591-14 Isaiah 40:24 וּ/סְעָרָ֖ה usearah HC/Ncfsa and the storm and her storm
H5591-14 Isaiah 41:16 וּ/סְעָרָ֖ה usearah HC/Ncfsa and tempest and her storm
H5591-10 Jeremiah 23:19 סַעֲרַ֣ת saarat HNcfsc storm storm of
H5591-15 Jeremiah 23:19 וְ/סַ֖עַר vesaar HC/Ncmsa and a whirlwind and storm-of
H5591-15 Jeremiah 25:32 וְ/סַ֣עַר vesaar HC/Ncmsa and a storm and storm-of
H5591-10 Jeremiah 30:23 סַעֲרַ֣ת saarat HNcfsc tempest of storm of
H5591-09 Jeremiah 30:23 סַ֖עַר saar HNcmsa tempest storm-of
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