שָׂרַע (sa.ra)
sa.ra
to extend
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sa.ra means to extend or stretch out, often describing a physical limb that has been lengthened. In the Qal stem, it appears as a participle meaning "extended," frequently with the nuance of being too long or disproportionate. This specific usage highlights a bodily state rather than a voluntary action.
Its most notable occurrence is in Leviticus 21:20, where it describes a priest with a limb that is extended or unnaturally long, disqualifying him from certain sacred duties. The word also appears in Isaiah 65:2, where God stretches out His hands to a rebellious people, shifting the meaning from physical deformity to divine initiative and reach.
The Hithpael stem adds the reflexive sense of stretching oneself, suggesting an effort to reach or expand one’s own capacity. Though rare, this form underscores the active nature of extension, whether in human effort or divine outreach.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sa.ra describes the act of extending or stretching out. While it appears in Leviticus describing physical proportions, its most powerful use is in Isaiah. There, God stretches out His hands toward a people who resist Him. This image shows that divine reach is not limited by human distance or stubbornness.
In your own life, this concept reminds you that connection often requires reaching beyond comfort. Whether it is extending patience to a difficult neighbor or stretching your faith in uncertain times, the posture of extension matters more than perfection. God’s hands are stretched out still, inviting response rather than demanding immediate compliance.
This physical metaphor invites us to consider how we position ourselves toward others and toward God. It is not about flawless form but about open reach. The invitation remains steady, offering space for growth and relationship even when the path feels narrow or unclear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [having] something enlarged2×
- for/ stretching oneself1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׂרֽוּעַ\׃1×
- שָׂר֣וּעַ1×
- מֵֽ/הִשְׂתָּרֵ֑עַ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 28:20
For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
This verse uses the concept of stretching to describe how inadequate human resources are compared to God's expansive reach, highlighting the tension between limited capacity and divine provision.
-
Leviticus 21:18
For whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,
Here the term relates to physical deformity or disproportion, setting a boundary for sacred service that emphasizes ritual purity over personal merit in that specific covenantal context.
-
Leviticus 22:23
Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a free will offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
The text prohibits offering animals with defective or disproportionate parts for vows, reinforcing the standard of wholeness required for voluntary offerings while distinguishing them from free will gifts.