שָׂרֻק
𐤔𐤓𐤒
sâruq
H8320 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of grape, specifically a choice or select grape variety known for its deep red or purple color. The term is used poetically to denote the best or most desirable grapes, often implying cultivated excellence or selectiveness. In extended metaphorical usage, it may refer to something choice, select, or cultivated to the highest standard.
Semantic Range
select grape, choice grape, cultivated grapevine, choicest variety of grape; by extension: something select or excellent
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׁרַק (sharaq), meaning 'to whistle' or 'to hiss', but in this nominal form (שָׂרֻק), the connection to the root is unclear and possibly due to similarity in form rather than direct derivation. The form שָׂרוּק (sarūq) in Isaiah 5:2 refers specifically to a cultivated grapevine. Etymology is thus uncertain, as the transition from 'to whistle' to 'select grape' is not clearly explicable.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׂרֻק appears only in poetic contexts (e.g., Isaiah 16:8, Jeremiah 2:21), always relating to viticulture and the imagery of cultivated vineyards. In these passages, it denotes the choicest grape variety, often used to symbolize the special status or care given to Israel as a nation. It is distinct from generic terms for grape or vineyard, focusing instead on quality and purposefulness. English translations vary, using 'choice vine', 'best grapes', or sometimes 'red grape', but often the connotation of cultivated excellence is lost. Historical use does not support the rendering 'bay' or 'speckled' as in some older translations. In later Jewish tradition, the term continues to represent the most select vines. The LXX and Vulgate reflect similar understandings with renderings like 'καλὰς ἐπ᾽ ἐλικηνοῦ' ('choice vine') and 'vineam electam' ('chosen vine').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁרַק; bright red (as piercing to the sight), i.e. bay; speckled. See שָׂרוּק.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂרק (ś-r-q) — to select, choice, select quality
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4957 | מַשְׂרֵקָה | from Masreqah |
| H7796 | שׂוֹרֵק | Sorek |
| H8291 | שָׂרוּק | her choice grapevines |
| H8305 | שְׂרִיקָה | combed flax fibers |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8320-01 |
שְׂרֻקִּ֖ים | seruqim | HAampa |
sorrel | choice grapes | sorrel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8320-01 |
Zechariah 1:8 | שְׂרֻקִּ֖ים | seruqim | HAampa |
sorrel | choice grapes | sorrel |