שְׂטַר (she.tar)
she.tar
side
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun setar appears only once in the entire Bible, found in Daniel 7:5. In this specific context, it translates to "side." The verse describes a bear raised up on one side, using this term to indicate that the animal was positioned asymmetrically, with its ribs held high by its teeth on that particular flank.
Because the word is so rare, its meaning is defined almost entirely by this single vision. It does not carry broad metaphorical weight elsewhere in Scripture but serves a precise descriptive function in apocalyptic imagery. The term highlights the physical posture of the beast, emphasizing the unevenness of its stance rather than a general direction or location.
Translators consistently render setar as "side" to maintain the concrete visual nature of Daniel’s dream. This usage anchors the reader in the literal scene, ensuring the symbolic meaning of the bear arises from its specific, awkward posture. The word’s scarcity underscores how tightly bound its definition is to this particular prophetic tableau.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word setar appears only once in Scripture, anchoring us to a striking image in Daniel’s vision of a bear raised up on one side. This rare term describes an uneven posture, highlighting how the beast held its ribs high as it prepared to devour. It is not a word about general direction, but about a specific, awkward stance that conveys power and imbalance.
When we encounter such vivid imagery in prophecy, we are invited to look closely at the details God provides. The unevenness of the bear’s posture reminds us that history unfolds under divine observation, even when events seem chaotic or overwhelming. We can trust that God sees the particulars of our lives just as He saw the specifics of this vision.
Though this word is scarce, its presence encourages us to find peace in God’s sovereignty. The same God who revealed these symbols also holds our days in His hands. We do not need to decipher every sign of the times; we simply need to rest in the One who knows the end from the beginning.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ to/ a side1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/לִ/שְׂטַר\־1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 7:5
“Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’
This verse uses setar to describe the bear’s asymmetric posture, emphasizing that it was raised up on one side rather than standing evenly.