שָׁרַשׁ (sha.rash)
sha.rash
to uproot
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sha.rash captures the fundamental agricultural reality of uprooting or taking root. In its most common form, the Piel stem, it describes the forceful act of tearing a plant out by its roots, leaving nothing behind. This imagery appears in prophetic warnings where nations or individuals are likened to trees being destroyed at their source, ensuring they cannot recover.
The word also carries the opposite meaning: establishing oneself firmly in the ground. In stems like Poel and Hiphil, it describes a plant taking root or causing something to take root. This dual nature highlights that stability is not passive; it requires deep anchoring. When Isaiah speaks of the righteous flourishing, he often uses this language to describe a life that has gone deep into the soil of God’s provision.
The theological weight of sha.rash lies in its finality. To be uprooted is to lose one’s source of life and identity. Conversely, to take root is to find security. The six occurrences in Job, Isaiah, and Jeremiah show that this word is reserved for significant moments of judgment or blessing, where the very foundation of a person’s or nation’s existence is either destroyed or secured.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha.rash paints a vivid picture of life’s stability. In its strongest form, it describes the violent act of tearing a plant out by its roots. This imagery appears in prophetic warnings where nations or individuals are likened to trees being destroyed at their source. When Isaiah speaks of the righteous flourishing, he uses this language to describe a life that has gone deep into the soil of God’s provision.
Conversely, the word also carries the meaning of establishing oneself firmly in the ground. This dual nature highlights that stability is not passive; it requires deep anchoring. To be uprooted is to lose one’s source of life and identity. Conversely, to take root is to find security. The theological weight of sha.rash lies in its finality, marking significant moments where the very foundation of existence is either destroyed or secured.
For your faith, this offers a clear invitation to seek deep roots rather than shallow growth. When Jeremiah notes that some have taken root but remain distant in heart, it reminds us that true stability comes from closeness to God. We can trust that He provides the rich soil we need to flourish, even when storms threaten to shake us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have taken root1×
- taking root1×
- let them be rooted up1×
- it will take root1×
- it will root up1×
- it has taken root1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְשָׁרֵֽשׁ\׃1×
- שֹׁרָ֔שׁוּ1×
- שֹׁרֵ֥שׁ1×
- מַשְׁרִ֑ישׁ1×
- יַשְׁרֵ֣שׁ1×
- יְשֹׁרָֽשׁוּ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 27:6
In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bud. They will fill the surface of the world with fruit.
This verse uses the word positively to promise future restoration and widespread fruitfulness for Jacob, showing God's power to establish His people securely.
-
Jeremiah 12:2
You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
Here the word describes hypocritical growth; they have taken root physically but remain distant in heart, highlighting that surface stability is not enough.
-
Job 5:3
I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
Job observes the foolish taking root only to be cursed suddenly, illustrating the fragility of lives built without true divine foundation.