שַׂעַר
𐤔𐤏𐤓
saʻar
H8178 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A windstorm, tempest, or violent storm characterized by powerful winds and often associated with divine activity or judgment; by extension, a state of terror, dread, or overwhelming fear prompted by such a storm or comparable event. The primary sense relates to a physical, meteorological phenomenon, but the term appears in contexts indicating intense emotional disturbance or fright, often as a metaphor for upheaval or catastrophe.
Semantic Range
tempest, violent storm, whirlwind, state of terror, intense fear, emotional or psychological upheaval, metaphor for calamity or divine judgment
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שָׂעַר (ś-ʿ-r), which fundamentally means 'to storm, to be disturbed.' The noun שַׂעַר (saʿar) develops directly from this root and most commonly denotes a violent storm or tempest. Though closely related in spelling, שֵׂעָר (sēʿār, 'hair') is a separate development from the same root, representing a distinct semantic branch, likely connected by the idea of 'bristling' or 'quivering' movement. The form שַׂעַר distinctly refers to meteorological or emotional tumult rather than 'hair.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, שַׂעַר typically describes a literal storm or tempest (e.g., 2 Kings 2:1, when Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind), usually marked by suddenness and high intensity. The word is at times used metaphorically for states of terror or sudden, overwhelming fear, particularly when describing psychological upheaval reminiscent of being caught in a storm (e.g., Ezekiel 32:9-10). The term can also appear in idiomatic constructions expressing severity or extremity of distress. English translations often use 'tempest,' 'storm,' or 'whirlwind'; however, the term's occasional extension into the emotional realm is not always reflected. Overlap with other storm words like סוּפָה (suphah, 'tempest') exists, but שַׂעַר tends to focus more on the tumultuous aspect. In later periods and poetic uses, the metaphorical sense becomes more pronounced, especially in prophetic literature as an image of calamity or divine intervention. Although both שַׂעַר (storm) and שֵׂעָר (hair) occur in the Tanakh, context clearly distinguishes them. The association of terror or horror seems to develop secondarily from the experience and symbolic resonance of storms as manifestations of chaos or divine power.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂעַר; a tempest; also a terror; affrighted, [idiom] horribly, [idiom] sore, storm. See שֵׂעָר.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂער (ś-ʿ-r) — to storm, to be turbulent, to be disturbed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8163 | שָׂעִיר | the shaggy male-goat |
| H8164 | שָׂעִיר | tempestuous downpours |
| H8165 | שֵׂעִיר | in Seir |
| H8166 | שְׂעִירָה | she-goat of |
| H8167 | שְׂעִירָה | to the Seirah |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8178-01 |
שַׂ֣עַר | saar | HNcmsc |
horror | violent storm | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8178-01 |
Isaiah 28:2 | שַׂ֣עַר | saar | HNcmsc |
tempest | violent storm |
H8178-01 |
Ezekiel 27:35 | שַׂ֔עַר | saar | HNcmsa |
horror | violent storm |
H8178-01 |
Ezekiel 32:10 | שַׂ֔עַר | saar | HNcmsa |
horror | violent storm |
H8178-01 |
Job 18:20 | שָֽׂעַר | saar | HNcmsa |
horror | violent storm |