שָׁרָה (sha.rah)
sha.rah
vine-row
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shurah is a rare term, appearing only once in the Bible in Jeremiah 48:7. Its primary meaning is "row" or "line," specifically referring to an orderly arrangement of plants such as vines or olive trees. In this agricultural context, it evokes images of careful cultivation and structured growth.
Some sources also note a secondary sense of "wall," likely deriving from the idea of a row of stones forming a barrier. However, in its sole scriptural occurrence, the word functions as a metaphor for Moab’s reliance on its own strength and agricultural wealth, which will be laid waste. The prophet uses this concrete image to illustrate how even the most orderly and productive aspects of life can be undone by divine judgment.
Because it is so uncommon, shurah offers a glimpse into the specific vocabulary of ancient Near Eastern agriculture. Its use in Jeremiah highlights the tension between human effort in tending the land and God’s ultimate sovereignty over history and nature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shurah describes a neat row of vines, an image of careful planning and steady growth. In Jeremiah 48:7, it stands as a symbol of Moab's pride in its own agricultural order. The prophet warns that even the most cultivated fields can be laid waste when people trust in their own strength rather than God.
This reminds us that our plans, no matter how well-ordered, are fragile without divine blessing. We tend to our lives with care, yet we must remember that true stability comes from relying on the Lord. When our confidence shifts from self-sufficiency to trust in God, we find a peace that outlasts any season of change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- among/ vine rows/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְ/שָׁרוֹתֶ֙י/הָ֙1×