סַחַר (sa.char)
sa.char
profit
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun sachar refers to profit or gain derived from trade and commerce. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the financial return on merchandise rather than abstract wealth. The word appears in five verses, with a notable concentration in Proverbs and Isaiah, where it often carries a moral weight regarding how one acquires resources.
Its meaning is concrete: the tangible benefit from selling goods. This distinguishes it from general terms for riches or inheritance. In Proverbs 11:19, righteousness leads to life, while pursuing evil results in death and no profit. Similarly, Isaiah 23:18 describes how the earnings of a prostitute are returned to her, highlighting that sachar is linked to specific transactions.
The root connects to the idea of traffic or exchange. Translators usually render it as "profit" or "gain." This usage underscores that economic activity in Scripture is not neutral; it is evaluated by its ethical foundation. The text suggests that true gain aligns with justice, while unjust trade yields no lasting value.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sachar points to the tangible return from our daily work, trade, or efforts. In Scripture, this profit is not just a number in an account but a measure of how well our actions align with wisdom and justice. Proverbs 3:14 reminds us that the insight gained from divine instruction brings a deeper gain than silver or gold.
Isaiah 23:18 offers a striking picture where even the earnings of commerce are dedicated to holiness. This suggests that our financial resources can serve a higher purpose when they support those who seek God. True profit, therefore, is found in integrity and generosity rather than mere accumulation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- profit/ its2×
- profit/ her2×
- more than/ [the] profit of1×
- and/ [the] traffic of1×
- [the] traffic of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סַחְרָ֜/הּ1×
- סַחְרָ֔/הּ1×
- סַחְרָ֑/הּ1×
- סַ֭חְרָ/הּ1×
- סְחַ֥ר1×
- מִ/סְּחַר\־1×
- וּֽ/סְחַר\־1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 3:14
For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
This verse contrasts the enduring value of wisdom with material wealth, showing that spiritual insight yields a superior profit.
-
Isaiah 23:18
Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
Here the word describes commercial earnings that are consecrated to God, highlighting how financial gain can be used for holy purposes.
-
Proverbs 31:18
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
The virtuous woman perceives the profitability of her trade, linking diligent work with practical success and stewardship.