שָׁרַץ (sha.rats)
sha.rats
to swarm
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb sha.rats describes a sudden, vigorous multiplication, typically used for creatures that move in large numbers. It appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, most frequently in Genesis and Leviticus to depict life emerging from water or earth. The word captures the dynamic energy of swarming populations rather than static existence.
In Genesis 1:20, God commands the waters to "swarm" with living creatures, setting the stage for the creation of aquatic life. Similarly, in Leviticus 11, the term distinguishes clean from unclean animals by noting which species swarm in the waters or on the land. This usage highlights a clear boundary between orderly creation and chaotic abundance.
The word also appears in Psalm 78:45, where God sends swarms of insects against Egypt as a judgment. Here, sha.rats shifts from a creative force to an instrument of divine power, showing how the same term can describe both the blessing of fertility and the weight of consequence. Translators often render it as "swarm" or "teem," preserving the sense of overwhelming movement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sha.rats paints a picture of life bursting forth with unstoppable energy. It describes creatures that swarm, teem, and multiply in great numbers. When God commanded the waters to swarm with living things in Genesis, He was not creating static objects but dynamic, moving life. This vivid imagery reminds us that God’s creation is alive, active, and full of purpose.
For your daily walk, this word offers a gentle comfort. It shows that vitality and growth are part of the created order. Whether you see abundance in nature or feel a sense of spiritual renewal, sha.rats points to the life-giving power of God. It invites you to appreciate the simple, moving reality of being alive in His world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- which/ swarms6×
- they swarmed1×
- swarm1×
- let them swarm1×
- it swarmed1×
- and/ they will swarm1×
- and/ they swarmed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שֹּׁרֵ֣ץ4×
- שָׁרַ֣ץ1×
- שָׁרְצ֨וּ1×
- שִׁרְצ֥וּ1×
- יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ1×
- וַֽ/יִּשְׁרְצ֛וּ1×
- וְ/שָֽׁרְצ֣וּ1×
- הַ/שֹּׁרֶ֥צֶת1×
- הַ/שֹּׁרֵ֑ץ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:20
God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”
This verse uses sha.rats for the first time in creation, showing God’s command for waters to teem with life as an act of initial blessing.
-
Genesis 1:21
God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
The text confirms that the sea creatures swarmed after their kind, highlighting the orderly yet abundant nature of God’s creative work.
-
Psalms 105:30
Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the rooms of their kings.
Here the word shifts to describe frogs swarming in Egypt, illustrating how the same term can signify divine judgment as well as creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sha.rats mean in the Bible?
Where does sha.rats appear most often?
How is sha.rats different from other words for 'multiply'?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 5 verses
God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the…
Genesis 1:21God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their…
Genesis 7:21All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the…
Genesis 8:17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping…
Genesis 9:7Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.”