סָרַח (sa.rach)
sa.rach
to overrun
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb saraḥ describes something that goes free, spreads out without restraint, or overflows its boundaries. In the Qal stem, it paints a vivid picture of vegetation growing luxuriously and sprawling beyond control, or structures hanging over an edge. This sense of unchecked expansion appears in passages like Amos 6:13, where the earth is described as being overrun by those who plow it.
Its usage often carries a negative connotation of excess or disorder. When applied to human behavior or wisdom, as in Jeremiah 4:22, it suggests something that has been let loose or dismissed, implying a loss of proper order and restraint. The word captures the physical reality of things exceeding their limits, whether in nature or in society.
Translators typically render saraḥ with verbs like "overrun" or "spread," reflecting its core idea of uncontrolled movement or growth. This lexical choice highlights the tension between natural abundance and chaotic excess, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical texts where this word appears.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word saraḥ describes something that spills over its intended edge—a tent curtain hanging beyond a frame, or a person sprawling on a couch without restraint. This word carries the tension between order and excess. In Exodus, God commanded the curtains of the tabernacle to overhang (Exodus 26:12), a deliberate act of covering and protection. Not everything that breaks a boundary is rebellion; some overflow is sacred.
Amos 6 paints a different picture. People 'lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches' (Amos 6:4), sprawling in luxury while ignoring the serious needs around them. Their comfort overran its limits, and the prophet warned that feasting and lounging would end (Amos 6:7). Unchecked ease can make the soul sluggish and blind.
Wherever you find yourself, God's boundaries are not meant to crush you but to lead you toward life. Even when you have overstepped, Christ's mercy overflows to cover you, much like that ancient tabernacle curtain. Rest in that covering today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sprawled out [people]1×
- projecting1×
- it will overhang1×
- has it been corrupted?1×
- and/ [people] sprawled out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּסְרַ֕ח1×
- סָר֜וּחַ1×
- סְרוּחִֽים\׃\ \פ1×
- נִסְרְחָ֖ה1×
- וּ/סְרֻחִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 26:12
The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
The overhang here is a God-ordained design element, showing saraḥ used positively to cover and protect the holy space.
-
Exodus 26:13
The cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
This verse repeats the command for the curtains to hang over, emphasizing symmetry and intentional, sacred overflow.
-
Amos 6:4
who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall,
Here saraḥ pictures self-indulgent lounging, a posture of careless ease that numbs the heart to injustice and spiritual danger.
-
Amos 6:7
Therefore they will now go captive with the first who go captive. The feasting and lounging will end.
The lounging that overran its proper bounds will be brought to an abrupt end, a sobering reversal of unrestrained celebration.
-
Jeremiah 49:7
Of Edom, Yahweh of Armies says: “Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?
Saraḥ describes wisdom that has vanished, suggesting that even good things can slip away when order and restraint are abandoned.