שָׂכִיר

שָׂכִיר

a man at wages by the day or year

Definition

The Hebrew noun שָׂכִיר (sâkîyr) refers to a hired worker or day laborer, someone who works for wages, typically on a temporary or contractual basis. It can denote a hired servant (Exodus 12:45) or a hired hand employed for a specific period, such as a year (Leviticus 25:53). In some contexts, it carries a nuance of transience or lesser status compared to a permanent member of the household or community, as seen in laws distinguishing the hired worker from the slave or sojourner (Leviticus 22:10, 25:6).

Biblical Usage

This word appears primarily in the legal and ritual texts of the Torah (Exodus, Leviticus), governing the treatment and rights of hired laborers. Key contexts include laws against oppressing or withholding wages from a hired worker (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15) and regulations about who may eat sacred offerings (Leviticus 22:10). It is used to specify a temporary, non-permanent worker, often contrasted with slaves or family members (Leviticus 25:39-40). The usage consistently emphasizes the hired worker's economic dependence and contractual relationship.

Etymology

Derived from the root שָׂכַר (śākar, H7936), meaning 'to hire' or 'to earn wages.' This root conveys the basic idea of a contractual agreement for labor in exchange for payment. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, with similar meanings related to hiring or renting.

Semantic Range

The term שָׂכִיר is theologically significant in illustrating God's concern for economic justice and the dignity of laborers. Laws protecting the hired worker from oppression (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15) reflect Yahweh's character as a defender of the vulnerable and His covenant expectations for a just community. The temporary status of the hired worker also serves as a contrast to the permanent belonging of the covenant people, highlighting themes of inclusion, transience, and the proper treatment of those outside the core family or tribal structure. In ancient Israel, a שָׂכִיר was typically a landless or poor individual who sold their labor for daily or seasonal wages, often in agriculture. Their position was precarious and economically vulnerable, as they depended entirely on timely payment for survival. This contrasts with slaves, who were often part of the household long-term, and with landowners. Understanding this social position clarifies the biblical laws designed to protect them from exploitation. עֶבֶד (ʿeḇeḏ, H5650) — a slave or servant, often a permanent member of the household, sometimes by birth or purchase, whereas a שָׂכִיר is hired temporarily. פֹּעַל (pōʿal, H6467) — a worker or laborer, a more general term for one who does work, not necessarily specifying the hired, contractual relationship of a שָׂכִיר.

Word Details