שׁוּר (shur)
shur
to travel
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb shur appears only twice in the Old Testament, carrying a core meaning of traveling or journeying. In Song of Solomon 6:11, it describes the speaker going out into the vineyard to observe the growth of plants. This concrete usage grounds the word in physical movement through a cultivated landscape.
Its occurrence in Isaiah 21:7 is more ambiguous, referring to a vision seen by riders on donkeys. Scholars note that the exact nuance here is uncertain, leaving open whether it implies a specific type of travel or simply the act of going. Despite its rarity, the word captures the simple, physical reality of moving from one place to another.
As a Qal verb, shur lacks the complex theological weight of other Hebrew motion words. It functions as a straightforward descriptor of journeying, whether in the intimate setting of a vineyard or the prophetic imagery of a watchman’s ride. Its scarcity in Scripture highlights how specific lexical choices shape biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shur describes the simple act of traveling or journeying. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, grounding us in the physical reality of moving from one place to another. In Song of Solomon 6:11, the speaker goes out into the vineyard to observe the growth of plants. This image reminds us that our daily walks often involve tending to what we love and watching it flourish.
While the word itself is straightforward, its rarity highlights how specific lexical choices shape biblical narrative. It lacks complex theological weight, functioning instead as a clear descriptor of movement. Whether in the intimate setting of a vineyard or the prophetic imagery of a watchman’s ride, shur captures the ordinary yet essential nature of our journeys.
As you move through your own seasons, remember that even simple steps have meaning. God is present in the mundane acts of going and coming. May your path be steady, and may you find peace in the journey itself, knowing that every step is seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will come down1×
- and/ you journeyed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָּשׁ֣וּרִי\׀1×
- וַ/תָּשֻׁ֤רִי1×