שָׂעִיר
𐤔𐤏𐤉𐤓
sâʻîyr
H8164 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A heavy rainstorm, tempest, or downpour. Refers specifically to a forceful or violent shower of rain, typically one accompanied by wind or turbulence; can denote intense or drenching rainfall in poetic or narrative contexts.
Semantic Range
violent rainstorm, tempestuous shower, downpour; in some contexts, a tumultuous rain
Root / Etymology
Root שׂער (שׂ־ע־ר), meaning 'to be hairy, bristly, rough'. While the root's core sense is 'hairiness' or 'roughness', the derived form שָׂעִיר takes on extended meanings based on physical resemblance to bristling or turbulent phenomena, such as a rough, tempestuous storm. The word is related as a homograph to שָׂעִיר meaning 'male goat, shaggy', but the meaning here is meteorological.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׂעִיר as 'shower' or 'downpour' is a poetic or rare term in the Hebrew Bible, attested in passages such as Job 37:6, where it stands parallel to מָטָר ('rain'). The image evoked is not simply of rain, but of a tumultuous outpour suggestive of force and wildness, perhaps with a visual analogy to a hairy or bristly surface. In the ancient Israelite context, such storms were sudden and could be destructive, distinguishing שָׂעִיר from words for gentle rain such as גֶּשֶׁם or טַל. Usage is limited and often found in elevated poetic diction. English translations may vary between 'violent rain', 'downpour', or 'heavy shower', but may not fully capture the turbulent nuance. The term does not refer to drizzle or light rain, but signifies force and suddenness. There is occasional confusion with the more common meaning 'he-goat' due to form, but the contexts diverge clearly.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
formed the same as שָׂעִיר; a shower (as tempestuous); small rain.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂער (ś-ʿ-r) — to be hairy, to be rough, to bristle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8163 | שָׂעִיר | the shaggy male-goat |
| H8165 | שֵׂעִיר | in Seir |
| H8166 | שְׂעִירָה | she-goat of |
| H8167 | שְׂעִירָה | to the Seirah |
| H8175 | שָׂעַר | was storm-tossed |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8164-01 |
כִּ/שְׂעִירִ֣ם | kiseirim | HR/Ncmpa |
as small rains | tempestuous downpours | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8164-01 |
Deuteronomy 32:2 | כִּ/שְׂעִירִ֣ם | kiseirim | HR/Ncmpa |
as small rains | tempestuous downpours |