שְׂדֵרָה (se.de.rah)
se.de.rah
rank
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sederah denotes a row or rank, most frequently applied to soldiers standing in formation. It appears in historical narratives within Kings and Chronicles, describing the organized lines of troops during military campaigns or royal processions. This usage highlights order and discipline, reflecting the structured nature of ancient Near Eastern armies.
Lexical sources also identify it as a technical architectural term, though its precise meaning in that context remains uncertain. While the military sense is clear and well-attested across four verses, its application to building materials or construction suggests a specialized vocabulary that modern readers may find opaque. The word underscores the importance of alignment, whether in battle lines or structural elements.
Its limited occurrence points to specific contexts where order was visually or functionally significant. Translators typically render it as "rank" or "row," preserving the sense of linear arrangement. This term offers a glimpse into how biblical authors conceptualized organization in both warfare and potentially in temple or palace construction, even if the latter details are lost to time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sederah describes a structured line or rank, most often used for soldiers standing in formation. In ancient times, this order was vital for survival and victory on the battlefield. It reminds us that God values organization and discipline in His people. When we align ourselves with His will, we stand firm against chaos.
This term appears in stories where the king’s safety depended on loyal guards holding their positions. It shows that faithfulness involves staying in place and doing your part within the community of believers. Just as soldiers protected the king, Christians are called to support one another in love and truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ ranks2×
- to the/ ranks1×
- and/ planks1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/שְּׂדֵרֹ֔ת1×
- וּ/שְׂדֵרֹ֖ת1×
- הַ/שְּׂדֵר֖וֹת1×
- הַ/שְּׂדֵר֔וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 11:8
You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.”
This verse defines the boundary of the ranks, showing how the word marks a protective perimeter around the king.
-
II Kings 11:15
Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t let her be slain in Yahweh’s house.”
Here the term highlights the priest's authority to command movement between these established military lines.
-
II Chronicles 23:14
Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t kill her in Yahweh’s house.”
This parallel account reinforces the strict enforcement of order within the temple courts using these specific formations.