שׁוּר (shur)
shur
Shur
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Shur refers to a region situated southwest of Palestine, lying along the eastern border or within the territory of Egypt. Its name translates to "wall," likely evoking the defensive structures that marked this frontier zone between the ancient world’s major powers.
Scripture places Shur prominently in the narrative of Israel’s early journey. After crossing the Red Sea, the people entered the wilderness of Shur, a harsh stretch of land where they faced immediate scarcity and complaint (Exodus 15:22). This location also appears later in Samuel as part of the borderlands contested between Israel and Amalek (1 Samuel 15:7), reinforcing its identity as a rugged, marginal territory.
Translators consistently render Shur as a place name rather than a common noun for "wall," preserving its specific geographical reference. The word anchors the biblical story in real terrain, reminding readers that the Exodus path was not abstract but traversed concrete, unforgiving landscapes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shur refers to a rugged region along the eastern border of Egypt, likely named for the defensive walls that marked this frontier. In Genesis, it appears as part of the landscape where Abraham and Hagar lived as foreigners, highlighting God’s presence even in marginal places. The name evokes a boundary between civilizations, yet Scripture shows God meeting people there, not keeping them out.
After crossing the Red Sea, Israel entered the wilderness of Shur, facing three days without water. This harsh terrain tested their trust, reminding us that faith often grows in difficult, uncertain places. The biblical narrative anchors our spiritual journey in real history, showing God’s care amid scarcity and fear.
Later, Shur appears in accounts of conflict between Israel and Amalek, reinforcing its role as a contested borderland. Yet even in tension, God remains sovereign over nations and geography. For believers, Shur illustrates that God walks with us through every season, whether we are wandering, waiting, or facing opposition.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shur5×
- Shur/ towards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁ֑וּר2×
- שֽׁוּר\׃1×
- שׁ֗וּר1×
- שׁ֖וּרָ/ה1×
- שׁ֔וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:22
Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
This verse marks Israel’s first test after deliverance, showing how Shur becomes the setting for their complaint and God’s provision.
-
Genesis 16:7
Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur.
Here Shur is the backdrop for Hagar’s encounter with God’s angel, revealing divine care for the marginalized.
-
Genesis 20:1
Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar.
Abraham’s residence between Kadesh and Shur demonstrates God’s protection of a patriarch in foreign territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Shur mean in the Bible?
Where does Shur appear in Scripture?
Why is Shur significant for understanding the Exodus?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur.
Genesis 20:1Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in…
Genesis 25:18They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.