סוּר (sur)
sur
Sur
N:N--TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--T
Word Overview
The proper noun sur, meaning "turning aside," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically identifying a gate within the temple complex in 2 Kings 11:6. Its significance lies not in theological doctrine but in its precise geographical function during the coup against Queen Athaliah.
As a name, it likely describes the physical layout of the structure, perhaps indicating a passage that diverted from the main axis or led to a side area. This single reference anchors the narrative of Joash’s coronation, marking the specific threshold where royal guards were stationed to protect the young king.
While the word itself carries no abstract spiritual weight in this context, it serves as a concrete marker of space and safety within the temple architecture. It reminds readers that biblical history often unfolds in specific, named locations rather than in vague settings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sur appears in Scripture as a proper noun, identifying a specific gate within the temple complex during a pivotal moment in Judah’s history. In 2 Kings 11:6, King Joash’s loyalists used this entrance to secure the young king against Queen Athaliah’s forces. This single reference anchors the narrative, marking the physical threshold where guards were stationed to protect the rightful heir.
While sur itself carries no abstract theological definition, its presence reminds us that God often works through concrete places and specific actions. The safety of the temple was not an abstract concept but a guarded reality at a named location. This detail encourages readers to appreciate the tangible nature of biblical history, where faithfulness is demonstrated in real-world decisions and protected spaces.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sur1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ס֔וּר1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 11:6
a third of you shall be at the gate Sur; and a third of you at the gate behind the guard. So you shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.
This verse identifies 'Sur' as a specific gate where royal guards were stationed to form a protective barrier around the temple during Joash’s coronation.