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שָׁרַי

𐤔𐤓𐤉

Sharay

H8298 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Sharay, a personal name referring to a member of the Israelite community, appearing as an individual listed among the returnees from exile. The name, possibly meaning 'contentious' or 'one who strives' if derived from the root שָׁרַר (to be adversarial, to contend), reflects naming patterns where personal attributes, desired virtues, or aspirations are embedded in names.

Semantic Range

personal name, Israelite community member, possibly 'one who contends' or 'hostile'

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root שָׁרַר, meaning 'to be stubborn, to be hostile, to contend'. The name Sharay incorporates this root, likely with a nominal or adjectival ending, forming a theophoric or descriptive personal name. Etymology not fully certain but broadly accepted as connected to שָׁרַר.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name שָׁרַי (Sharay) is found in post-exilic lists (e.g., Nehemiah 12:20) identifying members of the Israelite community who participated in the return from Babylonian exile. Personal names in this period often reflect attributes or circumstances important to families or the community, such as struggle or steadfastness. It is unclear whether the name carries any direct religious or clan connotations beyond its lexical root. Standard English translations usually transliterate as 'Sharai,' but the meaning of the name is not reflected in most translations. The original audience would likely associate the name’s connotation with striving or contention, but later readers would treat it as simply a proper name without further connotation. No additional significant occurrences or variants are attested, and the name does not become a recurring typological figure in biblical history.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from שָׁרַר; hostile; Sharay, an Israelite; Sharai.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

שרר (š-r-r) — to contend, to be stubborn, to be adversarial

Root שָׁרַר to contend, to be stubborn, to be adversarial
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5371 נֵרְגַּל שַׁרְאֶצֶר ruling-official
H5493 סוּר ruling chief
H5620 סַר ruling-official
H8269 שַׂר among rulers
H8270 שֹׁר to your navel-cord

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8298-01 שָׁרָֽי sharay HNp Sharai Contender Sharay 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8298-01 Ezra 10:40 שָׁרָֽי sharay HNp Sharai Contender Sharay
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