שָׁרַר
to be hostile (only active participle an opponent)
Definition
The verb שָׁרַר (shârar) means to be hostile or act as an adversary. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears exclusively in the active participle form (שֹׂרֵר, sorer), which functions as a noun meaning 'adversary,' 'enemy,' or 'one who lies in wait.' This term describes a person who actively opposes or threatens another, often with malicious intent. All five occurrences are found in the Psalms, where the psalmist pleads for divine deliverance from these hostile foes (e.g., Psalm 5:8, 27:11). The word consistently conveys a sense of personal, aggressive opposition rather than a general state of conflict.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Psalms, appearing five times. In each instance, the psalmist is crying out to God for protection and guidance against personal enemies. The context is always one of lament or petition, where the writer identifies specific adversaries who seek his harm. For example, in Psalm 56:2, the psalmist says, 'My enemies would trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.' The usage pattern shows it is a poetic term for a persistent, threatening opponent in a context of prayerful distress.
Etymology
שָׁרַר is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related by form to the root שָׂרַר (sarar, H8323), meaning 'to rule' or 'have dominion,' which suggests a possible conceptual link to one exercising power or control, though in an adversarial sense. The specific development into meaning 'to be hostile' is unique to this root in its participle form.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the reality of personal spiritual and physical opposition faced by the faithful. In the Psalms, these 'adversaries' are often the context for deep cries to God, teaching believers to bring their fears and conflicts directly to Him. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing that the psalmists' struggles were against active, hostile persons, grounding their prayers in real peril and reinforcing the theme of God as protector and vindicator of the righteous.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, personal enemies were a constant threat to one's safety, honor, and life. An 'adversary' (sorer) was not an abstract concept but a tangible individual or group seeking to do harm, possibly through legal accusation, physical violence, or social shaming. The psalmists' appeals to God reflect a cultural understanding where divine intervention was sought as the ultimate recourse against such powerful human opponents.
אוֹיֵב (oyev, H341) — a more common general term for 'enemy' or 'foe.'; צַר (tsar, H6862) — denotes an adversary, often in a tight or pressing situation, implying distress.; שָׂטָן (satan, H7854) — an accuser or adversary, which can be human or supernatural (e.g., the Satan).
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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