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שׁוּר

𐤔𐤅𐤓

shûwr

H7791 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שור to travel around, to look at, to turn

Definition

A physical structure forming a barrier, typically composed of stone, brick, or other materials, constructed to enclose, separate, or protect an area. Functions both as the outer fortification of a city, house, vineyard, or other enclosed space, and as a metaphor for strong protection or impediment. In biblical usage, primarily refers to built walls surrounding towns or compounds rather than natural or makeshift boundaries.

Semantic Range

wall (defensive or boundary, for cities and compounds), enclosing structure, (metaphorical) protection or barrier

Root / Etymology

Root: שור. Derived from the root meaning 'to turn,' 'to travel around,' or 'to observe, look at.' The noun שׁוּר ('wall') is likely derived from the notion of something that encircles or goes around an area. Semantically related to turning or enclosing, though the root שור also carries diverse meanings (including 'to look' in certain stems).

Historical & Contextual Notes

שׁוּר appears only sparingly as a term for 'wall,' with far more frequent usage in the form חוֹמָה (ḥômâ), especially in reference to fortified city walls. שׁוּר tends to denote the boundary wall of a settlement (e.g., Numbers 22:24; 2 Samuel 20:15), sometimes with the nuance of a defensive or enclosing structure. Its metaphorical use is rare, in contrast to other words for 'wall.' In post-biblical Hebrew, חוֹמָה became the standard term for city walls, while שׁוּר receded in use. English translations often render שׁוּר as 'wall' without distinction from חוֹמָה, but the Hebrew prefers חוֹמָה for large fortifications and שׁוּר for boundary or enclosure contexts. Not to be confused with the toponym Shur (שׁוּר) or the verb שׁוּר ('to look, regard').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שׁוּר; a wall (as going about); wall.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שור (š-w-r) — to turn, to travel around, to look at, to encircle

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4884 מְשׂוּרָה in a measured vessel
H7788 שׁוּר your wandering women
H7789 שׁוּר I attentively observe him
H7790 שׁוּר in my ambushing foes
H7792 שׁוּר the encircling-walls

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7791-01 שֽׁוּר shur HNcmsa a wall Encircling Wall 3
H7791-02 שׁוּרֹתָ֥/ם shurotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their rows their enclosing walls 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7791-01 Genesis 49:22 שֽׁוּר shur HNcmsa wall Encircling Wall
H7791-01 2 Samuel 22:30 שֽׁוּר shur HNcmsa over a wall Encircling Wall
H7791-01 Psalms 18:30 שֽׁוּר shur HNcmsa a wall Encircling Wall
H7791-02 Job 24:11 שׁוּרֹתָ֥/ם shurotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their rows their enclosing walls
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