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שָׁעַר

𐤔𐤏𐤓

shâʻar

H8176 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To act as a gatekeeper, to estimate or assess. Primarily, this verb refers to the action performed in relation to a gate—specifically, to act in the capacity of a gatekeeper or porter, involving the responsibility of managing the entry and exit through a physical or metaphorical gate. By extension, it also carries the sense of estimating, calculating, or assessing, particularly regarding value, worth, or number.

Semantic Range

to act as gatekeeper or porter; to guard or control access through a gate; to judge, estimate or assess (especially in official or communal settings); to consider, to think

Root / Etymology

Derived as a denominative verb from the noun שַׁעַר (sha'ar), meaning 'gate.' The root ש־ע־ר carries the base meaning of 'gate' (an opening in a wall). The verb שָׁעַר in this denominative sense means 'to function as a gatekeeper' or 'to be stationed at a gate,' and figuratively, 'to estimate' or 'to calculate,' drawing on the metaphorical sense of weighing or judging matters at the city gate, where official assessments and judgments were made.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb שָׁעַר occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible. Its primary sense is related to the physical action performed at the gate (שַׁעַר), i.e., acting as a gatekeeper, which was an important administrative and protective role in ancient cities. In Psalm 69:13 (Eng. 12), the term takes on a figurative sense of 'estimating' or 'considering,' likely reflecting the judicial and administrative functions held at city gates by elders, officers, and gatekeepers, where disputes were settled and values were assessed. This figurative usage is rare. English translations that render it simply as 'think' or 'imagine' may obscure the specific cultural and social context of the word. The verb is distinct from roots meaning 'to estimate' in other senses; its connection to the gate (שַׁעַר) anchors it in the administrative and security context of urban Israelite and Judahite life. Later, the related role of the שׁוֹעֵר (sho'er) develops in temple and city administration. There is little evidence of significant semantic change between the Iron Age and post-exilic periods, though the administrative context became more structured in the Second Temple period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to split or open, i.e. (literally, but only as denominative from שַׁעַר); compare see שׁוֹעֵר; to act as gatekeeper; (figuratively) to estimate; think.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שער (sh-ʿ-r) — to think, to estimate, to reckon

Root ש־ע־ר to gate, to guard a gate, to estimate, to assess
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7604 שָׁאַר gate of
H7778 שׁוֹעֵר the gatekeepers
H8163 שָׂעִיר shaggy he-goats of
H8179 שַׁעַר in the gate of
H8185 שַׂעֲרָה from strands of hair

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8176-01 שָׁעַ֥ר shaar HVqp3ms he thinks gate of he calculates 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8176-01 Proverbs 23:7 שָׁעַ֥ר shaar HVqp3ms he thinks gate of he calculates
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