שָׂרוּק
a grapevine
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׂרוּק (sârûwq) refers specifically to a choice or noble grapevine, likely a cultivated variety prized for its quality. It appears only in Isaiah 16:8, where it describes the devastated vineyards of Moab, contrasting their former glory with their ruin. The term emphasizes a cultivated, valuable vine, distinct from a wild one, and is used poetically to symbolize prosperity and abundance that has been lost.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 16:8. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against Moab, describing how the once-luxuriant vineyards, including the 'choice vines' (sârûwq), have been laid waste. The usage is poetic and metaphorical, using the destruction of these prized vines to symbolize the comprehensive ruin of Moab's prosperity and pride.
Etymology
The noun שָׂרוּק (sârûwq) is a passive participle derived from the root שׂרק (śrq), which relates to being red or scarlet, likely referring to the color of the ripe grapes or the vine. It is cognate with the nouns שָׂרֻק (sâruq, H8320) and שֹׂרֵק (śôrēq, H8321), which also refer to a choice red vine. The term thus inherently carries a sense of being selected or distinguished, particularly for its color and quality.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word contributes to the biblical theme of cultivation, blessing, and judgment. In Isaiah 16:8, the destruction of the 'choice vines' (sârûwq) is a powerful image of God's judgment stripping away human pride and self-sufficient prosperity. It serves as a reminder that earthly abundance and security are fleeting when opposed to God's will, enriching the reader's understanding of prophetic symbolism regarding the consequences of pride and rebellion.
In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern culture, vineyards were a primary symbol of agricultural wealth, peace, and divine blessing. A 'choice vine' (sârûwq) would represent the best cultivated stock, requiring careful tending and yielding the finest grapes for wine—a staple commodity. Its destruction in prophecy would signal not just an agricultural disaster, but a total collapse of economic stability and social standing, a concept immediately understood by the original audience.
שֹׂרֵק (śôrēq, H8321) — Another term for a choice, red vine; often used interchangeably but may carry a slightly more specific connotation of the vine type itself. גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — The general Hebrew word for 'vine' or 'vineyard'; שָׂרוּק is a specific, qualitative subset of this.
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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