סַר
peevish
Definition
The Hebrew word סַר (sar) describes a state of being sullen, peevish, or deeply resentful. It goes beyond simple sadness to convey a brooding, angry displeasure, often in reaction to a personal slight or thwarted desire. In its three biblical occurrences, it depicts King Ahab's petulant and angry mood after being denied something he wanted (1 Kings 20:43, 21:4-5). This emotional state is characterized by a withdrawn, heavy-hearted demeanor that refuses comfort.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the narrative of 1 Kings to describe King Ahab's emotional state. It appears three times in quick succession, painting a vivid picture of his reaction to two events: first, after the prophet denounced him for sparing King Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:43), and second, when Naboth refused to sell his vineyard (1 Kings 21:4-5). The usage consistently shows a ruler's childish, self-pitying anger when his will is opposed.
Etymology
The noun סַר (sar) is a contracted form derived from the root verb סָרַר (sarar, H5637), which means 'to be stubborn, rebellious, or refractory.' This etymological link shows that the 'peevish' mood is not passive sadness but an active, stubborn resentment—a heart that has turned away in defiant displeasure.
Semantic Range
This word provides a profound character study in the sin of selfish discontent and its consequences. King Ahab's 'sullen' heart (1 Kings 21:4) directly leads to Jezebel's plot to murder Naboth, illustrating how a petty, brooding attitude can escalate into grievous sin. It highlights the danger of a heart that refuses to submit to God's correction (1 Kings 20:42-43) and instead stews in resentment, showcasing a lack of the humility and contentment God desires in leaders and all people.
In the ancient Near Eastern royal context, a king's public display of sullenness, as described in 1 Kings 21:4 where Ahab lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and refused to eat, was a significant act. It was a non-verbal but powerful communication of extreme displeasure, designed to manipulate his court and household into action to rectify the perceived wrong against his royal will.
עָצֵב (atsab, H6087) — to grieve, labor; more general sorrow or pain, not necessarily with the angry, stubborn connotation of סַר. כָּעַס (ka`as, H3707) — to be vexed, provoked, angry; focuses more on the provocation and anger than the withdrawn, sullen mood.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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