שָׁרִיר
a cord, i.e. (by analogy) sinew
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׁרִיר (shârîyr) refers to a cord or sinew, specifically the sinews or tendons that bind muscles to bones. In its single biblical occurrence in Job 40:16, it describes the sinews of the behemoth's thighs, emphasizing their strength and binding quality. The word's core meaning is that of a strong, binding cord, which by analogy extends to the sinews of the body. This usage highlights physical strength and structural integrity.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 40:16, within God's description of the mighty behemoth. It is used in a poetic, descriptive context to illustrate the creature's formidable physical power, focusing on the 'sinews of its thighs.' There are no other occurrences, so no broader patterns of usage exist.
Etymology
שָׁרִיר derives from the root שָׁרַר (H8324), meaning 'to be firm, strong, or hard.' This root conveys the sense of something tightly bound or compacted. It is related to שֹׁר (H8270), meaning 'umbilical cord,' and the noun שֹׁרֶר (H8326), meaning 'navel' or 'band.' The semantic development moves from a general 'cord' to the specific, strong 'sinews' of the body.
Semantic Range
While a specific anatomical term, its use in Job 40:16 contributes to the theological theme of God's sovereign power and creative wisdom. By drawing Job's attention to the intricate, powerful design of the behemoth—down to its sinews—God underscores the vast gap between divine and human understanding. Appreciating this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the text's focus on divinely crafted strength and the awe-inspiring nature of God's creation.
In ancient Israelite culture, understanding the body's sinews as 'cords' reflected an observational view of anatomy, seeing tendons as the body's binding ropes that enable strength and movement. This metaphor made the concept of physical power tangible. The KJV's translation as 'navel' reflects an older understanding based on related words, but modern scholarship confirms 'sinew' or 'muscle' as the meaning in this context, focusing on strength rather than a center point.
גִּיד (gîyd, H1517) — The more common biblical term for 'sinew' or 'tendon,' used in contexts like the sinew of the hip (Genesis 32:32). שֹׁר (shor, H8270) — Specifically refers to an 'umbilical cord,' sharing the root concept of a binding cord but for birth/nourishment.
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.
Full methodology & sources →