שׂוּר
to saw
Definition
The Hebrew verb שׂוּר (sûwr) means 'to saw' or 'to cut with a saw.' It describes the physical action of dividing or reducing a material, typically wood or stone, into pieces using a sawing tool. In its sole biblical occurrence in 1 Chronicles 20:3, it refers to the brutal act of sawing people apart, a form of execution or torture. While the core meaning is the mechanical action of sawing, this specific usage extends the sense to a violent, dismembering act inflicted upon captives.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 20:3. It appears in a military context describing King David's treatment of the Ammonites after capturing Rabbah. The verse states he 'cut them with saws,' indicating a severe and cruel form of punishment or execution. There are no other patterns of usage, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
It is a primitive root verb. It is considered identical to שׂוּר (H7786), which means 'to turn aside' or 'to depart,' possibly through a shared concept of separation or division. The connection to the noun מַשּׂוֹר (masowr, H4883), meaning 'a saw,' is direct, showing the verb is the action performed by that specific tool.
Semantic Range
While the word itself describes a mundane tool and action, its single biblical application is theologically significant. The act in 1 Chronicles 20:3 reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare and judgment, illustrating the severe consequences of conflict and conquest. Understanding this Hebrew term underscores the historical context of divine judgment executed through human agents and the sometimes brutal nature of events recorded in the historical books.
In the ancient Near East, saws were common tools for woodworking and stonecutting. The reference to sawing people, however, points to a known, though extreme, practice of torture or execution used against enemies or rebels. This cultural reality highlights the severity of military conquest and the treatment of captives, which differs significantly from modern Western norms of warfare.
כָּרַת (karath, H3772) — a more general term for 'to cut' or 'to cut off,' often used for covenants or severing. גָּזַר (gazar, H1504) — means 'to cut' or 'to divide,' frequently used for decrees or decisions. נָתַח (natach, H5408) — specifically 'to cut up' or 'dismember,' as in preparing a sacrifice.
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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