שֶׁרֶשׁ
a root (literally or figuratively)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheresh) primarily means 'root,' referring literally to the underground part of a plant that anchors it and draws nourishment, as seen in Job 14:8. Figuratively, it extends to mean the foundation, source, or deepest part of something, such as the 'bottom' of a mountain (Deuteronomy 29:18) or the 'deep' roots of a person's character. In a negative sense, it can describe a hidden, entrenched source of bitterness or idolatry (Deuteronomy 29:18). The word also appears in genealogical imagery, representing a family line or remnant that survives, as in 2 Kings 19:30, where a 'remnant' will take root again.
Biblical Usage
שֶׁרֶשׁ is used 32 times across various genres, including Law (Deuteronomy), History (Judges, 2 Kings), and Wisdom literature (Job). Its literal botanical usage is common in Job (e.g., Job 8:17, 14:8). The figurative usage appears in contexts of stability or permanence (Judges 5:14) and, crucially, in warnings about spiritual corruption, where a 'root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit' symbolizes hidden sin (Deuteronomy 29:18). The concept of a surviving remnant taking 'root' is a key prophetic motif (2 Kings 19:30; Isaiah 37:31).
Etymology
Derived from the root verb שָׁרַשׁ (sharash, H8327), meaning 'to take root, to root out, or to plant.' This verbal root conveys the dual ideas of establishing something firmly and, conversely, tearing it out. The noun שֶׁרֶשׁ inherits this range, encompassing both the state of being firmly rooted and the physical root itself. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'šuršu' and Arabic 'šaraša,' also relating to roots or foundations.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects physical reality with spiritual metaphor. It is central to the biblical theme of spiritual health versus corruption—a hidden 'root' of bitterness or idolatry can defile many (Deuteronomy 29:18; Hebrews 12:15). Conversely, the imagery of a remnant taking 'root' (2 Kings 19:30) underscores God's faithfulness in preserving his people from apparent destruction. Understanding שֶׁרֶשׁ enriches reading by highlighting how spiritual life, stability, and corruption are depicted through the powerful, unseen reality of a plant's root system.
In an agrarian society, the root was a powerful symbol of life, stability, and survival. A plant with deep roots could withstand drought, making it a natural metaphor for endurance and prosperity. Conversely, a rotten or poisonous root doomed the entire plant, illustrating how hidden flaws can have catastrophic public consequences. This cultural understanding makes the biblical metaphors immediately visceral to the original audience.
עִקָּר (iqqar, H6130) — a less common synonym for 'root,' often used in Aramaic portions (Daniel 4:15). It can also mean 'the essential part.'
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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