שְׂעֹרָה (se.o.rah)
se.o.rah
barley
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun se'orah refers to barley, a staple grain in the ancient Near East. Its name derives from a root meaning "roughness," describing the hairy texture of the plant’s ears. This physical characteristic distinguishes it from finer grains like wheat, marking it as a crop suited for harsher soils and earlier harvests.
Scripture uses se'orah to denote both the growing plant and the harvested grain. In Ruth 1:22 and Job 31:40, the word points to the agricultural season of barley harvest, while passages like 2 Kings 7:1 describe large quantities of the grain available in Samaria. It often signals sustenance for the common people or provisions during times of scarcity.
Translators consistently render se'orah as "barley," preserving its identity as a humble but essential food source. The word appears frequently in narratives involving famine, poverty, and daily survival, highlighting its role as a basic commodity rather than a luxury item in biblical society.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Barley was the bread of the common people in ancient Israel, a humble grain that sustained families through hard seasons. Unlike wheat, which required rich soil and careful tending, barley could grow in harsher conditions and ripen earlier. This resilience made it a vital source of food during famines or times of scarcity, ensuring that even those with little had something to eat.
When you encounter this word in Scripture, remember that God cares about the daily sustenance of His people. In Ruth 2:17, we see Ruth gathering barley after a long day of gleaning, trusting that her labor would provide for her and Naomi. This simple act of gathering food becomes part of a larger story of providence and care.
The Bible often mentions barley in contexts of judgment or provision, reminding us that God is sovereign over the harvest. Whether it is the plenteous supply in Samaria (2 Kings 7:16) or the loss of crops in Joel 1:11, the grain itself points to a deeper truth: our lives depend on God’s faithful provision, day by day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- barley<s>15×
- the/ barley<s>3×
- and/ barley<s>3×
- and/ barley2×
- the/ barley1×
- barley1×
- and/ the/ barley1×
- [the] barley1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂעֹרִֽים\׃4×
- שְׂעֹרִ֔ים3×
- שְׂעֹרִים֙2×
- שְׂעֹרִ֛ים2×
- וּ/שְׂעֹרִ֖ים2×
- הַ/שְּׂעֹרִ֖ים2×
- שְׂעוֹרִ֑ים1×
- שְׂעֹרָ֥ה1×
- שְׂעֹרָ֑ה1×
- שְׂעֹרִ֜ים1×
- שְׂעֹרִ֖ים1×
- שְׂעֹרִ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 2:17
So she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
This verse highlights the physical reality of Ruth's labor as she beats out an ephah of barley, showing how God provided for her through honest work during the harvest.
-
Exodus 9:31
The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley had ripened and the flax was blooming.
Here, the striking of the barley marks a specific moment in the plague sequence, demonstrating God's control over the agricultural cycles that sustained Egypt.
-
Ruth 3:15
He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
Boaz giving six measures of barley to Ruth is a tangible sign of his kindness and commitment to ensure she does not return empty-handed to her mother-in-law.
-
Joel 1:11
Be confounded, you farmers! Wail, you vineyard keepers, for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field has perished.
The loss of the barley harvest serves as a stark warning in Joel, connecting agricultural failure with spiritual consequences for the people.