Lexical Summary sur: To turn aside, depart, remove, take away Original Word: שׂוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make princes, have power, reign A primitive root; properly, to vanquish; by implication, to rule (causatively, crown) -- make princes, have power, reign. See cuwr. see HEBREW cuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as sur, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׂרַר] verb denominative (Gerber20) be, or act as, prince, rule; — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיָּ֫שַׂר עַלֿ יִשְׂרָאֵל Judges 9:22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years; 3 masculine plural שָׂרִים ֗֗֗ יָשׂ֑רוּ Isaiah 32:1 princes shall govern (prince it) justly ("" יִמְלָךְמֶֿלֶךְ), compare Proverbs 8:16; Participle לִהְיוֺת֗֗֗ שׂרֵר Esther 1:22 that every man should bear rule בְּבֵיתוֺ. Hithpa`el Imperfect, 2 masculine singular + Infinitive absolute כִּיתִֿשְׂתָּרֵר עָלֵינוּ גַּםהִֿשְׂתָּרֵר Numbers 16:13 that thou shouldst also keep playing the prince over us. — יָסֹר 1 Chronicles 15:22 see יָסַר Qal and שַׂר 4b. Hiph`il Perfect3plural metaplastic הֵשִׂירוּ (Ges§ 67v) Hosea 8:4 they made princes (absolute; "" הִמְלִיכוּ). p. 415f, 978 Topical Lexicon Essential Senseשׂוּר (Strong’s 7786) speaks of exercising princely power, prevailing, or acting as ruler. In both of its canonical appearances the verb underscores determined control—first by a human tyrant, then by a patriarch wrestling for blessing. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Judges 9:22 — “After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years,”. Historical Setting Judges 9:22 records the brief reign of Abimelech, a self-appointed king whose authority was gained through violence and intrigue. The verb שׂוּר marks his tenure as one of sheer force rather than covenantal legitimacy. In Hosea 12:4 Jacob’s night-long struggle at Penuel is recalled, presenting the same root in a redemptive light: Jacob “prevails” not by coercion but through clinging dependence on the Angel of the LORD. The contrast highlights Scripture’s recurring theme that true rule is grounded in submission to God, unlike Abimelech’s self-exalting grasp for power. Theological Trajectory 1. Divine Sovereignty versus Human Usurpation 2. Persistence in Prayer Hosea interprets Jacob’s prevailing as weeping and pleading. The verb therefore encompasses spiritual striving—intercession that lays hold of God’s promises (see also Luke 18:1-8). 3. Foreshadowing the Messianic King The Old Testament anticipates a ruler who exercises perfect, righteous שׂוּר. Isaiah 9:6-7 looks to the Son upon whose shoulders government will rest. In stark contrast to Abimelech, Christ’s authority is granted by the Father (Matthew 28:18) and secured by humble obedience (Philippians 2:5-11). Intertextual Connections • Genesis 32:28 (root 8280) parallels Hosea 12:4, revealing a thematic link between contending with God and covenantal transformation. Ministry Implications 1. Leadership Character Christian leaders are cautioned against Abimelech-style domination. Authority in the church is derivative, servant-oriented, and accountable to Christ (1 Peter 5:2-4). 2. Prevailing Prayer Believers are summoned to “strive together with me in prayers” (Romans 15:30), echoing Jacob’s earnest שׂוּר. Persistence before God precedes prevailing in ministry. 3. Assurance of Christ’s Reign The failure of human rule in Judges drives hope toward the perfect King. This confidence fuels evangelism and discipleship, anchoring ministry in the certainty that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). Summary שׂוּר encapsulates both the ambition of fallen rulers and the victorious perseverance of faith. Its sparse but strategic appearances contrast illegitimate human authority with God-granted dominion, culminating in the ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וַיָּ֧שַׂר וָיָּ֤שַׂר וישר vaiYasar way·yā·śar wāy·yā·śar wayyāśar wāyyāśarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 9:22 HEB: וַיָּ֧שַׂר אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ עַל־ KJV: When Abimelech had reigned three years INT: had reigned now Abimelech over Hosea 12:4 2 Occurrences |
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