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שָׁרִיר

𐤔𐤓𐤉𐤓

shârîyr

H8306 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שרר to be firm, to be robust, to be tight

Definition

A body part term referring to the navel, with extended sense as the central part of the body or lifeline, and metaphorically as the seat of nourishment and life. In rare contexts, can denote a sinew (tendon) or inner cord; occasionally used metaphorically to indicate inner strength or vitality.

Semantic Range

navel, sinew, cord, central part of the body, source of nourishment, inner strength or vitality (metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁרַר (sharar), meaning 'to be firm, robust, or tight.' Derived as a noun from this root, indicating something tightened, a central cord or band. The related term שֹׁר refers to a string or cord, reinforcing the semantic link between firmness or tightness and body parts associated with tension or centrality.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שָׁרִיר occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in poetic or didactic contexts (e.g., Proverbs, Song of Songs). Its most common referent is the 'navel,' understood in the ancient world as the body's center and a source of vital nourishment (see Song 7:3[2]), alluding to well-being and fertility. In some occurrences (e.g., Job 40:16), it can refer to powerful sinews or tendons, emphasizing strength – echoing the root idea of tightness and robustness. English versions often harmonize the translation to either 'navel' or 'sinew,' but this can obscure the word's full metaphorical sense relating to centrality, vitality, and inner strength. Usage is restricted to poetic literature and wisdom texts, reflecting less anatomical specificity than later anatomical terminology.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁרַר in the original sense as in שֹׁר (compare שֹׁרֶר); a cord, i.e. (by analogy) sinew; navel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שרר (sh-r-r) — to be firm, to be robust, to be tight

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
H8306-01 בִּ/שְׁרִירֵ֥י bisherirey HR/Ncmpc in the muscles of in the firm cords of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8306-01 Job 40:16 בִּ/שְׁרִירֵ֥י bisherirey HR/Ncmpc in the muscles of in the firm cords of
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