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שׂוֹרָה

𐤔𐤅𐤓𐤄

sôwrâh

H7795 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שור to turn about, go around, encircle

Definition

A row, ring, or series; refers to something arranged in a line or sequence, such as a row of people, objects, or plants. It can also denote something circular or encircling in form, particularly a ring or hoop. In rare cases, the term may be metaphorically extended to refer to a principal or leader, presumably by association with the foremost person in a row or line.

Semantic Range

row, ring, series, line, course, hoop, principal (metaphoric)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root שׂוּר (s-w-r), meaning 'to turn about, go around, encircle.' This root typically conveys actions of turning, encircling, or forming a round shape. שׂוֹרָה is thus connected to the idea of something arranged in a circuit or sequence, such as a row or ring. The suggested connection to סוּר (to turn aside) reflects the turning or circuitous motion inherent in the root meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שׂוֹרָה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, with its primary attested usage referring to rows or rings, such as rows of plants, objects, or people. The nuance of 'principal' found in some translations likely arises from the notion of the first in a row or the leader of a line; however, such usage is rare and interpretive rather than core. In contrast to other terms such as שׁוּר (meaning a wall or an ox, depending on context) or טוּר (typically a row or course of stones), שׂוֹרָה specifically emphasizes arrangement in a line or ring. Later rabbinic usage does not significantly expand its semantic range. Standard English translations often obscure this arrangement nuance, at times rendering it as 'row' or 'principal' based on context. No later religious or ethnic identity is directly connected to the use of this term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שׂוּר in the primitive sense of סוּר; properly, a ring, i.e. (by analogy) a row (adverbially); principal.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שור (s-w-r) — to turn about, go around, 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
H7791 שׁוּר Encircling Wall

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7795-01 שׂוֹרָה֙ sorah HNcfsa in rows encircling row 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7795-01 Isaiah 28:25 שׂוֹרָה֙ sorah HNcfsa in rows encircling row
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