שְׁאֵר (she.er)
she.er
flesh
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun she’er primarily denotes flesh, but its usage in Scripture extends far beyond physical tissue to encompass the whole person and close family ties. In Leviticus, it frequently appears in laws concerning dietary restrictions or ritual purity, referring to meat as food. However, the word also carries a relational weight, often translating to "kin" or "near relative," emphasizing the biological bond that connects individuals within a community.
A key distinction lies in how this term bridges the physical and the social. While common words for body might focus on anatomy, she’er highlights the intimate connection of blood relation. This dual meaning is evident in passages like Genesis 2:23, where Adam calls Eve "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," using the word to express profound unity and kinship rather than mere physical composition.
The term’s theological significance emerges in its application to care and responsibility. In Leviticus 25:25, it refers to a "near kinsman" who has the duty to redeem family property, linking the concept of flesh with legal and moral obligation. This usage underscores that in ancient Israelite thought, one’s physical existence was inseparable from their familial role and the duties owed to those bound by blood.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word she’er points to more than just physical tissue; it describes the intimate bond of kinship that ties people together. In Genesis, Adam uses this term to describe his unity with Eve, showing that our closest relationships are meant to reflect a profound oneness. This understanding invites us to value our family and community not as obligations, but as sacred connections where we find our truest selves.
At the same time, she’er reminds us of our shared vulnerability. When Psalm 73 speaks of flesh failing, it acknowledges that human strength is temporary, yet God remains our constant portion. This duality teaches us to care deeply for those bound to us by blood or covenant, while also resting in the One who sustains us when our own resources run dry.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- meat2×
- [is] a relative of2×
- to/ relative/ his1×
- relative/ his1×
- relative of1×
- for/ relative/ his1×
- food/ her1×
- flesh/ my1×
- body/ his1×
- any of/ [the] relative[s] of1×
- and/ flesh/ their1×
- and/ flesh/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁאֵ֣ר3×
- שְׁאֵ֥ר2×
- שְׁאֵרָ֛/הּ1×
- שְׁאֵרִ֗/י1×
- שְׁאֵר֛/וֹ1×
- שְׁאֵ֑ר1×
- שְׁ֝אֵר֗/וֹ1×
- מִ/שְּׁאֵ֧ר1×
- לִ/שְׁאֵר֞/וֹ1×
- לִ/שְׁאֵר֔/וֹ1×
- וּ/שְׁאֵרָ֖/ם1×
- וּ/שְׁאֵרֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 18:6
“‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh.
Here the term marks the boundaries of sexual morality by prohibiting intimacy with close relatives, preserving the integrity of family structures.
-
Psalms 73:26
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
The psalmist contrasts the fragility of physical flesh with the enduring strength of God, highlighting human dependence on divine sustenance.
-
Leviticus 25:49
or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any who is a close relative to him of his family may redeem him; or if he has grown rich, he may redeem himself.
This passage links she’er to legal responsibility, showing that a kinsman’s duty to redeem family property stems from the inherent bond of shared flesh.