שַׂר
𐤔𐤓
sar
H8269 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A leader, official, or chief; one who has authority or exercises command within a social, political, or military context. The term is broadly used for persons of rank or responsibility, often denoting an official of high status but applicable from the highest princes to lesser officials depending on context. Semantic range includes ruler, noble, official, commander, leader, or chief.
Semantic Range
official, chief, leader, prince, commander, noble, steward, officer, governor, person of rank, overseer, ruler
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂרר (to rule, to exert dominion, to govern). The noun שַׂר is a substantive denoting one who embodies or exercises authority, often but not exclusively in political or military roles.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite texts (patriarchal through early monarchy), שַׂר refers broadly to leading figures, including tribal heads, military commanders, and key officials at court. In later monarchy and exilic/post-exilic writings, the term acquires more specialized bureaucratic meanings—officials of administration, military officers, provincial governors. Unlike the term מֶלֶךְ (king), שַׂר does not inherently imply sovereignty but delegated or assigned authority, whether over people (e.g., officers, princes) or specific domains or responsibilities (e.g., horticulural stewards, temple officers). In Persian and Hellenistic periods, שַׂר refers to officials of various ranks under imperial administration. Septuagint translations often render שַׂר as ἄρχων (archōn) or στρατηγός (stratēgos) depending on context. English 'prince', 'leader', or 'official' sometimes narrowly construes usage; the Hebrew term is more flexible and socially embedded. In some poetic and prophetic texts, שַׂר can apply figuratively to supernatural or angelic beings understood as rulers or 'princes' of nations (e.g., Daniel 10:13).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂרר (ś-r-r) — to rule, to govern, to exercise authority
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5493 | סוּר | Princess |
| H5620 | סַר | Princess |
| H5627 | סָרָה | Princess |
| H8272 | שַׁרְאֶצֶר | ruling-chief |
| H8280 | שָׂרָה | Princess |
Word Forms
36 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8269-17 |
שָׂרֵ֣י | sarey | HNcmpc |
captains | chiefs of | 132 |
H8269-12 |
שַׂר | sar | HNcmsc |
commander | ruling-chief of | 85 |
H8269-03 |
הַ/שָּׂרִ֖ים | hasarim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the princes | the rulers | 33 |
H8269-31 |
וְ/שָׂרֵ֥י | vesarey | HC/Ncmpc |
and captains of | and chiefs of | 32 |
H8269-21 |
שָׂרִ֗ים | sarim | HNcmpa |
princes | ruling officials | 21 |
H8269-25 |
וְ/הַ/שָּׂרִ֤ים | vehasarim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the princes | and the ruling-officials | 14 |
H8269-02 |
הַ/שָּׂ֑ר | hasar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the chief | the ruler | 14 |
H8269-15 |
שָׂרָ֑י/ו | sarayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
his princes | his officials | 12 |
H8269-30 |
וְ/שָׂרָ֣י/ו | vesarayv | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and his princes | and his officials | 11 |
H8269-18 |
שָׂרֶ֖י/הָ | sareyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
her princes | her rulers | 10 |
Occurrences in Scripture
421 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8269-17 |
Genesis 12:15 | שָׂרֵ֣י | sarey | HNcmpc |
princes | chiefs of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 21:22 | שַׂר | sar | HNcmsc |
commander | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 21:32 | שַׂר | sar | HNcmsc |
the commander | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 26:26 | שַׂר | sar | HNcmsc |
commander | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 37:36 | שַׂ֖ר | sar | HNcmsc |
chief | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 39:1 | שַׂ֤ר | sar | HNcmsc |
chief | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 39:21 | שַׂ֥ר | sar | HNcmsc |
the chief | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 39:22 | שַׂ֤ר | sar | HNcmsc |
the chief | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 39:23 | שַׂ֣ר | sar | HNcmsc |
keeper | ruling-chief of |
H8269-12 |
Genesis 40:2 | שַׂ֣ר | sar | HNcmsc |
chief | ruling-chief of |