שָׁרִיר (sha.rir)
sha.rir
muscle
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shārir refers specifically to a sinew or muscle, the physical tissue that connects bone to muscle and enables movement. In the biblical text, it appears only once, in Job 40:16, where it describes the strength of Behemoth.
This rare term highlights the anatomical reality of physical power. The verse uses shārir to illustrate the creature's immense bodily force, emphasizing that its strength is rooted in tangible, structural integrity rather than abstract might. By focusing on the sinew, the text grounds the description of this powerful beast in concrete biological function.
Its solitary occurrence underscores the specificity of the imagery. The word does not speak of general vitality or spirit, but of the literal cords that allow for motion and tension. This precise vocabulary helps readers visualize the raw, physical capability attributed to Behemoth in Job’s rhetorical challenge.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shārir appears only once in Scripture, describing the thick sinews of Behemoth in Job 40:16. This rare term points to the physical cords that connect bone and enable movement. It reminds us that strength is not just an abstract idea but a tangible reality rooted in our bodies.
When we face weakness or limitation, this verse offers a quiet comfort. God designed our physical form with intricate detail, including the muscles that allow us to act and endure. Recognizing the care behind our anatomy can help us appreciate the body as a gift rather than a burden.
In moments of doubt, remember that the same Creator who crafted such precise strength in Behemoth also sustains you. Your physical life is part of His good design, inviting gratitude for the simple power to move through each day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] muscles of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּ/שְׁרִירֵ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 40:16
Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.
The term shārir specifies the sinews in Behemoth's belly, grounding the creature's immense power in concrete anatomical structure rather than vague might.