Bible Word Study
סָכַר
çâkar · to shut up; by implication, to surrender
סָכַר
to shut up; by implication, to surrender
Definition
The Hebrew verb סָכַר (sakhar) fundamentally means 'to shut up' or 'to close off.' In its three biblical occurrences, it carries the sense of stopping or restraining something. In Genesis 8:2, it describes God shutting off the sources of the floodwaters, halting the deluge. In a figurative and more intense sense, it means to surrender or be handed over, as seen in Psalm 63:11, where the psalmist's enemies will be 'shut up'—or given over—to the sword. Isaiah 19:4 uses it similarly, prophesying that Egypt will be given over into the hand of a harsh master.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only three times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative (Genesis), poetry (Psalms), and prophecy (Isaiah). Its usage progresses from a concrete, physical action—stopping water—to a metaphorical sense of being delivered over to a negative fate or power. In Genesis 8:2, it describes divine action in nature. In Psalm 63:11 and Isaiah 19:4, it conveys judicial or punitive surrender, where individuals or a nation are consigned to destruction or subjugation.
Etymology
סָכַר is a primitive root. It is distinct from, but conceptually related to, סָגַר (sagar, H5462), which more commonly means 'to shut' or 'to close' (like a door). The development from the concrete 'to shut up' to the implied 'to surrender' hinges on the idea of being closed in or confined with no escape, leading to capitulation.
Semantic Range
This word highlights God's sovereign control over both nature and human destiny. In Genesis, it shows His power to start and stop creation's forces. In the prophetic and poetic uses, it underscores the theme of divine justice, where rebellion leads to being 'shut up' or surrendered to consequences. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting the physical act of shutting with the spiritual reality of being given over to judgment. In an ancient Near Eastern context, 'shutting up' or surrendering a city or people often led to death or slavery. The metaphorical use would have evoked this stark reality for the original audience, making the threat in Psalms and Isaiah viscerally understood as a complete and devastating loss of freedom and life. סָגַר (sagar, H5462) — More general term for closing/shutting, often physically (doors, gates). שָׂכַר (sakhar, H7936) — A homonym meaning to hire or rent; a different root entirely.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]