שָׂעִר (sa.ir)
sa.ir
hairy; he-goat; satyr
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 54 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word sa’ir literally means "hairy," describing the rough coat of a male goat. This basic sense gives it two distinct meanings in Scripture: the ordinary he-goat used for food or sacrifice, and the mysterious satyr, often linked with desert spirits. In Leviticus and Numbers, this term appears frequently when detailing offerings, where the animal serves as a tangible part of Israel’s ritual worship.
The connection between the physical goat and the supernatural satyr is significant. Ancient Near Eastern cultures associated these creatures with wilderness deities or demons. By including sa’ir in sacrificial lists, the text likely served to distinguish Israel’s God from pagan practices that involved appeasing such spirits. The word bridges the everyday agricultural life of the people and the spiritual realities they were called to avoid.
Its usage highlights how ordinary objects could carry deep theological weight. When the Bible mentions these animals in worship contexts, it reinforces the boundary between holy service and idolatrous custom. The term reminds readers that their rituals were not just about animals, but about rejecting false gods and honoring the one true God alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sa’ir connects the physical reality of a shaggy coat to profound spiritual themes in Scripture. In Genesis, Esau’s hairiness marks him as a man of the field, distinct from his brother Jacob. This simple physical detail becomes central to a family drama, showing how God works through human imperfections and earthly circumstances.
Later, the term shifts to describe the animals used for sin offerings in Leviticus. These goats carried the guilt of the people, serving as temporary coverings for sin until the ultimate sacrifice. The imagery moves from the domesticated herd to the wild desert, where 'satyrs' or demons dwell, reminding readers that true peace is found only in God’s presence, not in the chaos of idolatry.
For your faith, this word invites you to see God’s care for both the mundane and the mysterious. He knows the details of our lives, from our physical traits to our deepest struggles. You can trust that He provides a way out of guilt and into His rest, just as the goat was sent away into the wilderness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 54 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a male goat of18×
- and/ a male goat of12×
- the/ male goat9×
- [the] male goat of4×
- the/ male goats2×
- hairy2×
- to the/ goat idols1×
- male goats of1×
- and/ the/ male goat1×
- and/ male goats of1×
- and/ goats1×
- and/ goat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂעִיר\־15×
- וּ/שְׂעִ֥יר6×
- וּ/שְׂעִיר\־5×
- הַ/שָּׂעִ֔יר4×
- שְׂעִ֣יר3×
- שְׂעִ֥יר2×
- שְׂעִ֤יר2×
- הַ/שָּׂעִ֥יר2×
- הַ/שָּׂעִ֖יר2×
- שָׂעִ֔ר1×
- שְׂעִרֹ֑ת1×
- שְׂעִירֵ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 27:11
Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
This verse highlights the literal meaning 'hairy' to distinguish Esau from Jacob, grounding the narrative in physical reality.
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Leviticus 16:21
Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready.
Here the goat bears the iniquities of Israel, illustrating the weight of sin being transferred and removed from the community.
-
Leviticus 17:7
They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’
The term refers to 'goat idols' or demons, warning against associating worship with chaotic spiritual forces outside God’s order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sa’ir mean in Genesis 27?
Is sa’ir always translated as goat?
Why are goats used for sin offerings?
Every Occurrence (54 verses across 6 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
Genesis 27:23He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him.
Genesis 37:31They took Joseph’s tunic, and killed a male goat, and dipped the tunic in the blood.