אֵסוּר (e.sur)
e.sur
bond
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun esur refers to a bond or band, describing the physical ties that restrain movement. In the Hebrew Bible it appears in only three verses, yet its imagery is potent. It denotes the ropes or chains used to bind a person, serving as a concrete symbol of captivity and loss of freedom.
While primarily literal, the word carries a figurative weight, extending to mean a "house of bonds" or prison. This usage appears in Ecclesiastes, where the author reflects on the constraints of human existence. The term highlights how external forces can restrict liberty, making it a powerful metaphor for oppression.
Its rarity in Scripture gives each occurrence significant emphasis. When used in Judges or Jeremiah, it underscores the severity of defeat or divine judgment. The word does not merely describe physical restraint but evokes the heavy reality of being held against one’s will, leaving the reader with a stark image of confinement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word esur describes the physical bonds used to restrain someone, turning a person into a captive against their will. In Scripture, these ropes or chains are not just objects; they represent the heavy reality of lost freedom and the power of external forces that hold us back. When we read about Samson’s bonds breaking in Judges 15:14, we see a moment where divine strength shatters human limitation, reminding us that no restraint is too strong for God to overcome.
Yet this word also appears in darker contexts, like Jeremiah’s imprisonment or the metaphorical traps in Ecclesiastes. These passages acknowledge the pain of being bound by circumstances, people, or sin. They validate our experience of feeling stuck, showing that even the prophets and wise men faced confinement. The Bible does not ignore the weight of these chains; instead, it points to a God who sees the captive and offers liberation.
For your faith, this word invites trust in a God who breaks bonds. Whether you face literal oppression or the invisible ties of fear and guilt, remember that freedom is found in Him. You are not defined by what holds you back, but by the One who sets you free. May you find peace in knowing that no chain can separate you from His love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bonds/ his1×
- [are] fetters1×
- <the>/ fetter[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אֵס֗וּר1×
- אֲסוּרִ֣ים1×
- אֱסוּרָ֖י/ו1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 15:14
When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burned with fire; and his bands dropped from off his hands.
This verse shows the bonds breaking supernaturally, highlighting God's power to liberate those He empowers.
-
Ecclesiastes 7:26
I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
Here the imagery shifts to metaphorical chains, illustrating how sin or harmful relationships can entrap the soul.
-
Jeremiah 37:15
The princes were angry with Jeremiah, and struck him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the prison.
This occurrence places the prophet in a 'house of bonds,' emphasizing the cost of speaking truth in oppressive times.