שָׁשֵׁר (sha.shar)
sha.shar
vermilion
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun sha.shar refers to a bright red color, specifically vermilion. In biblical times, this vivid hue was often associated with pigments derived from the kermes insect, creating a striking visual contrast in ancient textiles and descriptions.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezekiel 23:14. There, it describes the figures drawn on the wall that the prophet sees in a vision. The specific use here highlights how such a distinct color could serve as a powerful symbol within a prophetic narrative, drawing attention to the details of the scene being revealed.
Its rarity makes this term a unique lexical marker in Scripture. While many colors are mentioned frequently, sha.shar stands out for its singular occurrence and its association with a specific artistic or symbolic context rather than general description. This limited usage invites careful attention to the immediate literary setting where it appears.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sha.shar points to a vivid shade of red, often linked to the rich vermilion pigment used in ancient art. Though it appears only once in Scripture, its presence in Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that God uses striking imagery to capture our attention. The bright color on the wall was not merely decorative; it served as a focal point in a prophetic warning about spiritual unfaithfulness.
For your life today, this rare word invites you to notice how God speaks through details. Just as the vermilion stood out against the background, certain moments or truths may stand out in your own journey. These highlights are not accidents but invitations to pay closer attention to what God is revealing about His heart and His plans for restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with <the>/ vermilion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּ/שָּׁשַֽׁר\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 22:14
who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house and spacious rooms,’ and cuts out windows for himself, with a cedar ceiling, and painted with red.
This verse uses the term for 'red' in the context of building a luxurious house, highlighting how vivid colors were associated with human pride and self-exaltation rather than divine glory.