שְׂרָד
𐤔𐤓𐤃
sᵉrâd
H8278 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A finely woven fabric, particularly one associated with formal or cultic service; refers to a type of cloth used in the making of garments, often ceremonial or priestly, denoting the material itself rather than the act of stitching.
Semantic Range
fine cloth, embroidered or woven fabric, cloth used for ceremonial service or sacred purposes, cover for sanctuary objects, priestly garment material
Root / Etymology
Related to the root שׂרד, which appears to mean 'to stitch' or 'to embroider'. The noun שְׂרָד derives from this root, shifting from the act (to stitch/embroider) to the product (embroidered or finely woven cloth).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׂרָד is attested in contexts describing ceremonial fabric, especially in instructions regarding the tabernacle (Exodus 31:10, 39:1, 41, Numbers 4:7, 13). In these cases, שְׂרָד refers not to the activity of service, but to the special cloths used as coverings for sacred furniture or in the garments of priests. English versions sometimes translate it as 'service' or 'stitching', but this fails to capture its function as a term for special fabric. The association is primarily with priestly, cultic, or sanctuary service; the word is notably absent in non-cultic, everyday textile contexts. Over time, the term remains rare and specific, never becoming a generic word for cloth or work. It should be distinguished from other Hebrew terms for garments or fabric, such as בֶּגֶד (beged, general clothing) or שֵׁשׁ (shesh, linen).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂרַד; stitching (as pierced with a needle); service.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שרד (ś-r-d) — to stitch, to sew, to embroider
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8278-01 |
הַ/שְּׂרָ֑ד | haserad | HTd/Ncmsa |
the service | the embroidered cloth | 3 |
H8278-02 |
שְׂרָ֖ד | serad | HNcmsa |
service | embroidered fabric | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8278-01 |
Exodus 31:10 | הַ/שְּׂרָ֑ד | haserad | HTd/Ncmsa |
the service | the embroidered cloth |
H8278-01 |
Exodus 35:19 | הַ/שְּׂרָ֖ד | haserad | HTd/Ncmsa |
of service | the embroidered cloth |
H8278-02 |
Exodus 39:1 | שְׂרָ֖ד | serad | HNcmsa |
service | embroidered fabric |
H8278-01 |
Exodus 39:41 | הַ/שְּׂרָ֖ד | haserad | HTd/Ncmsa |
the service | the embroidered cloth |