שִׂיד
𐤔𐤉𐤃
sîyd
H7875 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A white mineral substance produced by burning limestone, used primarily as a plaster or coating on walls and sometimes as a component for mortar. The term also refers to the material itself in its various forms—powdered or slaked lime—and to objects, surfaces, or constructions covered with this substance. In biblical contexts, sîyd is associated with processes of construction, marking, or preparation of surfaces (especially walls or stones).
Semantic Range
lime (powdered or slaked), plaster made from lime, lime used as paint or coating, lime as a destructive or purificatory agent
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂוד (swd), which, though rare and of debated origin, is thought to be connected to the act of burning to produce lime. The word שִׂיד likely refers to the product rather than the process, marking a shift from root meaning (to burn, calcine) to substance (lime).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שִׂיד appears in several biblical passages (e.g., Deuteronomy 27:2-4; Isaiah 33:12; Amos 2:1), typically denoting lime used to cover stones for commemorative or didactic purposes, or as a destructive element (cf. Moab's punishment in Amos). In the context of Deuteronomy, it refers to the lime-plastering of stones to receive an inscription of the Torah. In prophetic or poetic texts, it can be part of imagery related to fire, destruction, or purification. Compared to contemporary English, 'lime' is suitable, but biblical shîd connotes a mineral plaster—used for whiting walls, preparing inscription surfaces, or burning bones (as in punitive acts). Later Rabbinic Hebrew retains this meaning for various kinds of plaster or whitewash. Unlike modern 'lime' or 'plaster', sîyd in biblical usage is never figurative for hypocrisy (as in later 'whitewashed tombs'). The term is not restricted to any single historical period but persists as a material reference from early to late biblical texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שִׂידlemma שׂיד missing vowel, corrected to שִׂיד; lime (as boiling when slacked); lime, plaister.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂוד (s-w-d) — to burn, calcine, prepare lime
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7875-01 |
בַּ/שִּֽׂיד | basid | HRd/Ncmsa |
with plaster | in the lime | 2 |
H7875-03 |
שִׂ֑יד | sid | HNcmsa |
of lime | burned lime | 1 |
H7875-02 |
לַ/שִּֽׂיד | lasid | HRd/Ncmsa |
to-lime | to the lime | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7875-01 |
Deuteronomy 27:2 | בַּ/שִּֽׂיד | basid | HRd/Ncmsa |
with plaster | in the lime |
H7875-01 |
Deuteronomy 27:4 | בַּ/שִּֽׂיד | basid | HRd/Ncmsa |
with plaster | in the lime |
H7875-03 |
Isaiah 33:12 | שִׂ֑יד | sid | HNcmsa |
of lime | burned lime |
H7875-02 |
Amos 2:1 | לַ/שִּֽׂיד | lasid | HRd/Ncmsa |
to-lime | to the lime |