שָׁחֹר (sha.chor)
sha.chor
black
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective shaḥor describes the color black, appearing six times in the Old Testament. It is most frequently found in poetic books like Song of Solomon and Zechariah, as well as in the legal codes of Leviticus. The word serves as a straightforward descriptor for deep darkness or the darkest shade of color.
In Song of Solomon 1:5, the speaker describes herself as "black but beautiful," using shaḥor to contrast her sun-darkened skin with her inner worth. This usage highlights how physical appearance can be marked by labor or environment, yet remain valued. In Leviticus, the term appears in regulations concerning skin diseases, where a black spot might indicate a specific stage of healing or impurity, showing its practical use in distinguishing visual signs.
Unlike words that carry heavy theological weight, shaḥor remains a concrete term for color. It does not inherently symbolize evil or mourning in the biblical text, though it can evoke imagery of night or shadow. Its presence in Leviticus grounds it in ritual observation, while its use in poetry allows for personal expression about identity and beauty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shaḥor simply means black, describing a deep, dark color without inherent negative symbolism. In the Old Testament, it appears in practical contexts like skin conditions and chariot descriptions, but also in poetry to describe natural beauty. This straightforward usage reminds us that God values both the physical details of our lives and the deeper truths they may represent.
In Song of Solomon, a woman describes herself as dark-skinned yet lovely, showing that appearance does not diminish worth. Similarly, Zechariah uses black horses in visions to signify movement and divine purpose. These examples invite us to see color and form as part of God’s created order, reflecting His attention to both the mundane and the majestic.
When we encounter shaḥor in Scripture, we are reminded that God sees all things clearly. Whether describing hair like a raven or horses going toward the north, the word grounds us in reality. It encourages us to appreciate the world as it is, trusting that God’s purposes unfold through both light and shadow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- black4×
- [am] black1×
- <the>/ black1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁחֹ֧ר1×
- שָׁחֹ֖ר1×
- שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה1×
- שְׁחֹרִֽים\׃1×
- שְׁחֹר֖וֹת1×
- הַ/שְּׁחֹרִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 1:5
I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar’s tents, like Solomon’s curtains.
This verse uses shaḥor to describe the speaker's sun-darkened skin, affirming her beauty despite labor-induced changes.
-
Song of Solomon 5:11
His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.
Here shaḥor compares the beloved's hair to a raven, emphasizing natural beauty and strength in poetic imagery.
-
Zechariah 6:2
In the first chariot were red horses. In the second chariot were black horses.
The black horses in this vision represent divine agents moving toward the north, showing shaḥor in a symbolic but non-moral context.