Bible Word Study
שַׁעַר
shaʻar · a measure (as a section)
שַׁעַר
a measure (as a section)
Definition
The Hebrew noun שַׁעַר (shaʻar) primarily denotes a measure of quantity, specifically a unit of agricultural yield. In its single biblical occurrence in Genesis 26:12, it refers to a 'hundredfold' return on Isaac's crops, indicating an extraordinary, divinely blessed harvest. This usage suggests it was a standard unit for quantifying grain or produce. While its core meaning is a numerical measure, the context emphasizes abundance and divine favor rather than a precise modern measurement.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 26:12, where it describes the yield of Isaac's sowing in Gerar: 'Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold (שַׁעַרִים).' The plural form here specifies the multiplication of the harvest. Its usage is strictly confined to this agricultural and narrative context of God's blessing during a famine.
Etymology
The noun שַׁעַר (shaʻar) derives from the root שָׁעַר (H8176), which means 'to calculate, reckon, or estimate.' This root connection clarifies that the noun is fundamentally about a calculated or reckoned measure. It is linguistically distinct from the homograph שַׁעַר (H8179) meaning 'gate,' which comes from a different root.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it quantifies God's supernatural provision and blessing. The 'hundredfold' yield in Genesis 26:12 is a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness to Isaac, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 26:3-5). It illustrates the principle that God's blessing can produce extraordinary abundance even in adverse circumstances (famine), highlighting themes of divine faithfulness and prosperity under covenant obedience. In the ancient Near Eastern agricultural context, a 'hundredfold' return was considered an exceptionally high yield, far above normal expectations. This measure would have immediately communicated to the original audience the miraculous nature of Isaac's harvest. It functioned as a recognizable cultural benchmark for extraordinary productivity and divine favor. כֹּר (kor, H3734) — a larger dry measure for grain or flour. מְשׂוּרָה (mesurah, H4060) — a general term for a measure or portion. אֵיפָה (ephah, H374) — a standard unit of dry measure for grain.
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]