שְׂדֵרָה
a row, i.e. rank (of soldiers), story (of rooms)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שְׂדֵרָה refers to an orderly, structured row or tier. In architectural contexts, it denotes a 'story' or 'row' of rooms, as seen in the description of the temple's side chambers in 1 Kings 6:9. In military contexts, it signifies a 'rank' or 'column' of soldiers, such as the guards stationed around the king in 2 Kings 11:8, 11:15 and 2 Chronicles 23:14. Thus, the core meaning is a regulated, linear arrangement, whether of physical structures or people.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in historical books describing organized structures. It appears in 1 Kings 6:9 for the architectural rows of the temple's side chambers. Its other three uses are in parallel accounts of the same event: the military ranks of royal guards protecting King Joash (2 Kings 11:8, 11:15; 2 Chronicles 23:14). The pattern shows it describes both static, built rows and dynamic, human formations.
Etymology
Derived from an unused root meaning 'to regulate' or 'to set in order.' This root concept is reflected in the word's consistent meaning of an arranged row or tier. It shares a semantic field with words related to order and arrangement.
Semantic Range
The word highlights themes of divine order and human responsibility within God's systems. In the temple (1 Kings 6:9), it reflects the meticulous, God-ordained design for worship. In the royal guard narratives (2 Kings 11), it underscores the providential protection of the Davidic line, showing how human structures (military ranks) can serve God's covenant purposes. Understanding this term enriches reading by revealing how both sacred space and societal order were conceived as structured and intentional.
In its architectural sense, the 'row' or 'story' refers to the three-tiered side chambers that surrounded Solomon's Temple, an innovative feature for storage and support. Militarily, a 'rank' was a fundamental tactical unit. The dual usage shows a cultural mindset that applied the same concept of orderly arrangement to both building and military organization, valuing structured precision.
טוּר (ṭûr, H2905) — a more general term for a row or line, often of items like jewels or stones. מַעֲרָכָה (maʿărākâ, H4634) — specifically a battle array or line of soldiers. עֵרֶךְ (ʿērek, H6187) — an arrangement, row, or order, often in a ritual or valuation context.
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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