שָׂתַר (sa.tar)
sa.tar
to burst
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sa.tar appears only once in the Old Testament, recorded in 1 Samuel 5:9. In this specific context, it describes the physical reaction of the Philistine cities to the plague of tumours sent by the God of Israel. The word conveys the idea of bursting out or breaking forth, capturing the sudden and violent nature of the affliction.
Its usage is highly concrete, referring not to an abstract emotion but to a bodily rupture. The text uses this term to depict how the swellings erupted on the skin of the people in Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. This singular occurrence highlights the word’s descriptive power for acute, painful physical conditions rather than general illness.
Because it is so rare, sa.tar does not have a broad range of theological meanings across Scripture. Instead, it serves as a precise medical descriptor in its narrative setting. Translators typically render it as "burst out" or "break out," preserving the image of something internal forcing its way to the surface under pressure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sa.tar describes a sudden, violent bursting forth. In 1 Samuel 5:9, it depicts tumors breaking out on the people of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. This is not a gentle illness but a severe physical rupture caused by divine judgment against the Philistines who kept the Ark of the Covenant.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s holiness cannot be treated casually. When we ignore His presence or treat sacred things with disrespect, the consequences are real and painful. Yet, even in judgment, God’s hand is at work to reveal His power and sovereignty over all nations.
We can take comfort in knowing that God is not distant or indifferent. He acts in history to protect His glory and to call people to repentance. This rare word shows us the seriousness of sin but also the reality of God’s active involvement in our world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they broke out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יִּשָּׂתְר֥וּ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 5:9
It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them.
This is the only occurrence of sa.tar in Scripture, where it vividly describes tumors breaking out on the Philistine cities as a sign of God's judgment for mishandling the Ark.