שְׂעַר

hair

Definition

The Aramaic noun שְׂעַר (sᵉʻar) means 'hair' in a general sense, referring to the hair of the head or body. In its three biblical occurrences, it describes the hair of human figures, specifically the hair of Daniel's three companions being unsinged by fire (Daniel 3:27), the hair of King Nebuchadnezzar growing long like eagles' feathers during his madness (Daniel 4:33), and the hair of the 'Ancient of Days' being as pure wool (Daniel 7:9). The word consistently denotes physical hair, with the context in Daniel 7:9 emphasizing purity and venerable age through the simile 'white like wool'.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. It appears in three distinct contexts: a miraculous preservation from fire (Daniel 3:27), a sign of divine judgment and humiliation in a king's insanity (Daniel 4:33), and in a majestic, symbolic vision of God's eternal sovereignty (Daniel 7:9). The usage pattern shows it applied to both humans under divine protection or judgment and to the divine figure Himself in apocalyptic imagery.

Etymology

שְׂעַר (sᵉʻar) is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun שֵׂעָר (sē'ār, H8181), both meaning 'hair'. It derives from a common Semitic root. The Aramaic form is used in the biblical texts that were originally written in that language, demonstrating the linguistic shift in the book of Daniel while retaining the same core meaning as its Hebrew counterpart.

Semantic Range

While primarily denoting physical hair, this word gains theological significance in Daniel 7:9, where it describes the 'Ancient of Days'. The description 'his hair was like pure wool' is a key anthropomorphic image conveying God's purity, wisdom, and eternal, venerable age. This contributes to the apocalyptic portrayal of divine judgment and sovereignty. In Daniel 3:27 and 4:33, hair serves as a visible testament to God's power to miraculously preserve His servants and to humble proud rulers, making it a marker of divine intervention.

In the ancient Near East, hair often carried cultural significance related to identity, strength, and status. Unsinged hair (Daniel 3:27) was a powerful public sign of miraculous deliverance. Long, unkempt hair on a king (Daniel 4:33) was a stark symbol of loss of sanity, royal dignity, and social standing, indicating a complete humbling. The comparison to wool (Daniel 7:9) uses a familiar, valuable material to symbolize purity and honor.

שֵׂעָר (sē'ār, H8181) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used throughout the Hebrew Old Testament. פֶּרַע (pera', H6543) — Often refers to loose, unkempt, or long hair, as in the laws of the Nazirite (Numbers 6:5).

Word Details

Scripture References