שָׂרִיק (se.ri.qah)
se.ri.qah
combed
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun sarikah refers to linen that has been carded or combed, a process essential for preparing flax fibers into a smooth, fine material ready for weaving. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Isaiah 19:9, where it describes the work of those who handle the raw textile.
This single occurrence places the word within a prophecy against Egypt’s economic collapse. The verse laments that the skilled workers who spin and card the flax will be disappointed and ashamed. By using this specific term for processed linen, the text highlights the failure of a key industry, turning a technical detail of textile production into a symbol of national ruin.
The word underscores the value placed on fine craftsmanship in the ancient Near East. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was a specialized term known to those familiar with the trade, used here to make the loss feel concrete and tangible to the original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sarikah describes linen that has been carefully combed, ready for weaving into fine fabric. In Isaiah 19:9, it marks a moment of national shame when skilled workers find their efforts in vain. This rare term reminds us that God sees the details of our daily labor and the value of honest work.
When life feels like it is falling apart, even our most careful preparations can seem to fail. Yet this verse points beyond economic collapse to a deeper truth: our worth does not rest on our productivity or success. God values the integrity of our hands as much as the outcome of our tasks.
We can trust that He understands the effort behind every task we undertake. Even when results are unclear, our faithful work matters to Him. May you find peace in knowing your labor is seen and valued by the Creator, regardless of how the world measures success.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- combed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׂרִיק֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 19:9
Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
This verse uses sarikah to highlight the specific shame of textile workers whose specialized skill fails during Egypt's judgment.