שָׂרָה
to prevail
Definition
The Hebrew verb שָׂרָה (sârâh) fundamentally means 'to contend,' 'to strive,' or 'to have power/prevail' in a struggle. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes a strenuous, physical, and spiritual wrestling. In Genesis 32:28, Jacob 'strives' with God and man and 'prevails,' leading to his name being changed to Israel. In Hosea 12:3-4, the prophet recalls this same event, emphasizing Jacob's contentious striving even from the womb. The core meaning is not passive victory but active, persistent struggle resulting in prevailing power.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice, both times in narratives reflecting on the patriarch Jacob's defining character. It appears in the historical account (Genesis 32:28) and is later referenced by the prophet Hosea (Hosea 12:3) to illustrate Israel's contentious nature with God. The usage is exclusively in the context of a personal, direct, and prolonged struggle where one party ultimately gains the upper hand through persistence.
Etymology
As a primitive root, שָׂרָה (sârâh) is the verbal root from which the noun 'שַׂר' (śar, H8269), meaning 'prince' or 'ruler,' is derived. The semantic connection is clear: to prevail or contend successfully is to exercise princely power or authority. Cognates in other Semitic languages also carry meanings related to ruling or contending.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is central to the naming of Israel (meaning 'he strives with God'). It captures the paradoxical relationship between God and His people—one of intimate struggle, persistence in prayer (as in Jacob's wrestling), and transformative encounter. Understanding this verb enriches the reading of Jacob's story and the prophetic critique in Hosea, highlighting that faithful relationship with God can involve tenacious striving, not just passive obedience.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a personal, physical struggle with a divine being was a profound concept. Jacob's wrestling (using this verb) contrasts with distant, impersonal deities of other cultures. It reflects a God who engages directly and personally with individuals, and where prevailing in such an encounter is seen not as disrespect but as a demonstration of determined faith and a means of receiving blessing.
גָּבַר (gāḇar, H1396) — to be strong or mighty, often implying inherent strength rather than struggle. לָחַם (lāḥam, H3898) — to fight or do battle, typically in a military context. יָכֹל (yāḵōl, H3201) — to be able, have power, or prevail, often in a more general sense of capability.
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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