שָׂעִיר

שָׂעִיר

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

Definition

The Hebrew word שָׂעִיר (sâʻîyr) primarily means 'hairy' or 'shaggy,' describing physical texture, as seen when Jacob disguises himself with goat skins to feel like his hairy brother Esau (Genesis 27:11, 23). Most commonly, it refers to a 'male goat' or 'he-goat,' especially in ritual contexts where such goats are used as sin offerings (Leviticus 4:23-24, 9:3). In a few prophetic passages, the term takes on a metaphorical sense, denoting desert-dwelling 'goat-demons' or 'satyr'-like creatures associated with idolatry (Isaiah 13:21, 34:14).

Biblical Usage

שָׂעִיר appears 57 times across the Old Testament, with its usage concentrated in the Pentateuch, particularly Leviticus and Numbers, where it designates a 'he-goat' for sacrificial rituals (e.g., Leviticus 9:15, 10:16). In narrative, it describes hairy skin (Genesis 27:11, 23) or a goat used in deception (Genesis 37:31). In the Prophets, it is used figuratively for ominous, goat-like desert beings (Isaiah 13:21, 2 Chronicles 11:15). The KJV variously translates it as 'goat,' 'hairy,' 'kid,' 'devil,' and 'satyr,' reflecting its range.

Etymology

Derived from the root שָׂעַר (śāʿar, H8175), meaning 'to shudder' or 'to be horribly afraid,' and by extension 'to be hairy' or 'bristly.' This root conveys a sense of roughness or dread. The noun שָׂעִיר thus literally means 'hairy one,' which naturally extended to 'he-goat' due to the animal's shaggy coat. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to hair or goats.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges the mundane and the spiritual. In the sacrificial system, the שָׂעִיר represents atonement and substitution, pointing to the need for purification from sin (Leviticus 16:5, 9). Its association with 'goat-demons' in Isaiah 13:21 and 2 Chronicles 11:15 highlights the biblical condemnation of idolatry and the worship of desert spirits, contrasting Yahweh's holiness with pagan practices. Understanding this range enriches reading by showing how physical offerings carried symbolic weight and how prophetic language used familiar imagery to warn against spiritual corruption. In ancient Near Eastern culture, goats were common livestock, valued for food, hair, and religious rites. The 'he-goat' as a sacrifice was a standard offering, reflecting its economic and ritual importance. The concept of 'goat-demons' or 'satyrs' (שְׂעִירִם) likely drew from popular folklore about dangerous desert spirits, which some Israelites improperly venerated (Leviticus 17:7, 2 Chronicles 11:15). This cultural backdrop clarifies why biblical authors used the term to condemn idolatry, associating it with fearsome, unclean beings opposed to Yahweh. עֵז (ʿēz, H5795) — a general term for 'goat' (female or generic), whereas שָׂעִיר specifies a male goat. תָּיִשׁ (tāyish, H8495) — another term for 'male goat' or 'he-goat,' used more in poetic or leadership metaphors (e.g., Daniel 8:5). צָפִיר (ṣāphîr, H6842) — a 'he-goat' used in Daniel's visions (Daniel 8:5, 8:21) with symbolic, eschatological connotations.

Word Details