סַר (sar)

sar

stubborn

H5620 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

H:A

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:A

Word Overview

The Hebrew adjective sar describes a person who is stubborn, sullen, or implacable in attitude. It goes beyond simple disobedience to suggest a deep-seated resistance and a refusal to yield. The sources highlight shades of meaning that include resentment and a brooding quality, painting a picture of someone who is not just difficult but actively opposed to correction or authority.

This word appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in 1 Kings 12:15. There it describes King Rehoboam’s heart as being "turned" or hardened by God, illustrating a divine sovereignty over human obstinacy. The rarity of the term emphasizes its intensity; it is not used for everyday grumpiness but for a significant, unyielding stance that blocks reconciliation.

Translators often render sar as "stubborn" or "rebellious," though these English words can sometimes miss the emotional weight of sullenness or resentment found in the Hebrew. The term captures a specific kind of hardness of heart where pride and grievance combine to prevent any change of direction, leaving the individual isolated in their resistance.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word sar paints a picture of deep-seated resistance, often translated as stubborn or sullen. It describes a heart that refuses to yield, marked by resentment and a brooding refusal to listen to correction. This is not mere grumpiness but a significant hardening of the spirit that blocks reconciliation and isolates the individual from others.

In 1 Kings 21:4, King Ahab displays this attitude after Naboth refuses to sell his inheritance. Instead of seeking dialogue or justice, Ahab retreats into anger, turning away his face and refusing food. His reaction illustrates how pride and grievance can combine to create a wall between people, preventing any chance of peace.

Understanding sar invites us to examine our own hearts. When we feel slighted or denied, do we respond with openness or retreat into sullen silence? God’s sovereignty is evident even in these moments of human obstinacy, yet the call remains for us to choose humility over hardness. May we find the grace to yield our pride and seek reconciliation rather than isolation.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

sullen3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

סַ֣ר2×
סָרָ֔ה1×

Key Verses

I Kings 21:4
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

This verse captures the emotional weight of sar as Ahab’s sullen anger leads him to withdraw physically and emotionally from his household after being denied.
I Kings 20:43
The king of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria.

Here the term describes the king’s lingering resentment, showing how sar can persist as a mood of anger even after a conflict has ended.
I Kings 21:5
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sad that you eat no bread?”

Jezebel’s question highlights the visible impact of Ahab’s stubbornness, as his sullen state becomes so apparent that it prompts her intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word sar mean?

Sar is an adjective meaning stubborn, sullen, or implacable. It describes a deep-seated resistance and refusal to yield, often accompanied by resentment. Unlike simple disobedience, it suggests a brooding attitude that blocks reconciliation.

How is sar different from other words for stubbornness?

While words like qashah (hard) describe the condition of the heart, sar emphasizes the active, sullen refusal to listen. It carries an emotional weight of grievance and pride that makes correction feel like a personal attack.

Where does sar appear in the Bible?

It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, all in 1 Kings. These verses describe King Ahab’s angry withdrawal after Naboth refuses to sell his land, illustrating a significant hardening of heart.

What does sar teach us about human nature?

Sar shows how pride and grievance can isolate us from others. It reminds us that stubbornness is not just an action but a posture of the heart that prevents peace. Recognizing this attitude is the first step toward humility and reconciliation.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

I Kings 3 verses

I Kings 20:43

The king of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria.

I Kings 21:4

Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had…

I Kings 21:5

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sad that you eat no bread?”