סוּסָה
a mare
Definition
The Hebrew word סוּסָה (çûwçâh) is a feminine noun meaning 'mare' or 'female horse.' It is used in the Old Testament specifically in Song of Solomon 1:9, where the beloved is poetically compared to 'a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.' This singular occurrence carries a strong metaphorical sense, emphasizing beauty, grace, and distinction. The term is the direct feminine counterpart to the masculine סוּס (çûwç, H5483), meaning 'horse.'
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the entire Old Testament, in Song of Solomon 1:9. Its usage is entirely poetic and metaphorical, not literal. The context is a love poem where the speaker uses the imagery of a single, beautiful mare set among the military chariots of Pharaoh to praise the unique and captivating beauty of his beloved. This singular use highlights its role as a vivid, comparative image rather than a common descriptive term.
Etymology
סוּסָה (çûwçâh) is the regular feminine form of the masculine noun סוּס (çûwç, H5483), meaning 'horse.' It is formed by adding the feminine suffix -ָה (-ah) to the root. The root is common in Semitic languages for 'horse' (cf. Akkadian sīsû). The word's derivation is straightforward, indicating a female horse, with no significant semantic shift from its masculine counterpart.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a common noun, its sole biblical use in Song of Solomon 1:9 is theologically and literarily significant. The metaphor enriches the biblical portrayal of love, beauty, and intimacy within the covenant relationship, which is often seen as reflecting God's love for His people. Understanding this Hebrew term highlights the deliberate poetic choice—using the imagery of a single, graceful mare to symbolize unique, captivating worth amidst power and chaos—which deepens the appreciation of the Song's allegorical potential.
In the ancient Near East, horses, especially those associated with Pharaoh's chariots, symbolized military power, wealth, and prestige. A 'mare among Pharaoh's chariots' would have been a strikingly unusual and attention-grabbing image. Chariot horses were typically stallions. The comparison suggests the beloved stands out with captivating beauty and grace, effectively disarming or drawing the attention of formidable power, which would have been a culturally potent metaphor for irresistible allure.
סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — The masculine form, meaning 'horse' or 'stallion,' used frequently for warhorses and chariotry. פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — Often refers to a steed, horseman, or cavalry, emphasizing the riding aspect. רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — A broader term for chariot or chariotry, sometimes including the horses as a unit.
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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