שׂוֹא
𐤔𐤅𐤀
sôwʼ
H7721 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rising, swelling, or lifting up—often used in poetic imagery to denote a surge or elevation, whether literal (as in a physical wave or rising feature) or figurative (as in an uprising or significant increase). The term primarily occurs in the context of the sea or waves, and can also refer to a tumultuous movement or the idea of prominent rising action in nature or social phenomena.
Semantic Range
rising (esp. of waves), surge, swelling, uplifting, elevation, tumultuous upwelling, figurative uprising or tumult
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root שָׂאָה (sa'ah, to rise, to raise up), closely associated with the root נָשָׂא (nasa', to lift, carry) and שׁוֹא (sho', a crash or ruin). שׂוֹא represents the nominal form, denoting the act or result of rising or lifting. The root meaning ('to rise, to lift') informs but does not fully delimit the noun's figurative and poetic usages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word שׂוֹא is rare in the Hebrew Bible, occurring in poetic or prophetic texts where natural phenomena such as sea waves or large-scale uprisings are depicted. The term is often associated with disorderly or powerful movements, highlighting dramatic shifts or upheavals. Later Jewish tradition and translation practice sometimes render שׂוֹא with terms like 'lifting' or 'tumult,' but the imagery can be broader—encompassing both natural and social themes. In earlier periods, Israelite literature used שׂוֹא primarily for overwhelming or spectacular movements (like the sea's surge). By post-exilic times, the term's usage is mostly preserved only in poetic memory, with other roots (especially נָשָׂא) dominating prose contexts. Translations using 'arise' or 'tumult' may inadequately express the vivid, often chaotic, elevation indicated by the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (akin to נָשָׂא and שׁוֹא) meaning to rise; a rising; arise.
Bantu Hebrew
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שׂאה (ś-ʾ-h) — rise, lift, swell
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7612 | שֵׁאת | the elevation |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7721-01 |
בְּ/שׂ֥וֹא | beso | HR/Vqc |
when its waves rise | in rising | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7721-01 |
Psalms 89:10 | בְּ/שׂ֥וֹא | beso | HR/Vqc |
when its waves rise | in rising |