from an unused root meaning to define; a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) forgrain; measure.
Transliteration:çᵉʼâh
Pronunciation:seh-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word סְאָה (çᵉʼâh, `{{H5429}}`) denotes a specific dry measure, primarily used for grain or flour. Its etymology traces to an unused root meaning "to define" or "to determine," suggesting that the "se'ah" was a fixed and recognized quantity. As a "determinative" measure, it provided a standard for transactions and provisions in ancient Israel. While its precise modern equivalent varies depending on the historical period and region, a "se'ah" is generally understood to be approximately one-third of an ephah (אֵיפָה, `{{H646}}`). This makes it a practical, medium-sized unit, larger than an omer (עֹמֶר, `{{H6016}}`) but smaller than a homer (חֹמֶר, `{{H2549}}`). Its semantic range is thus confined to this specific quantitative meaning, functioning as a concrete unit within the ancient Israelite system of weights and measures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term סְאָה (çᵉʼâh, `{{H5429}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance offers significant insight into its practical application and the contexts in which it was used:
* **[[Genesis 18:6]]**: Here, Abraham instructs Sarah to "quickly prepare three seahs of fine flour" to bake cakes for the three divine visitors. This context highlights the "se'ah" as a measure used in domestic settings for hospitality. Three seahs of fine flour would represent a substantial quantity, indicative of generous provision for guests, emphasizing Abraham's eagerness to honor them.
* **[[1 Samuel 25:18]]**: Abigail, preparing to appease David, takes "five seahs of roasted grain." Similar to the Genesis account, this demonstrates the "se'ah" as a unit for preparing provisions, particularly for a large company or for a journey. The quantity again suggests a significant amount, suitable for sustaining many people.
* **[[2 Kings 7:1]], [[2 Kings 7:16]], [[2 Kings 7:18]]**: These verses are perhaps the most striking occurrences, set during the severe famine and siege of Samaria. The prophet Elisha declares a miraculous reversal: "Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria." This prophecy, fulfilled the very next day, dramatically contrasts with the dire conditions where a donkey's head sold for eighty shekels. The "se'ah" here serves as a precise unit of measure in an economic context, demonstrating the dramatic shift from extreme scarcity to miraculous abundance. The repetition of the prophecy and its fulfillment underscores the reliability of God's word and His power to intervene in human affairs, directly impacting the price and availability of basic foodstuffs measured by the "se'ah."
In all these contexts, the "se'ah" functions not merely as an abstract unit but as a tangible measure of sustenance, directly related to daily life, hospitality, provision, and economic stability or instability.
### Related Words & Concepts
The "se'ah" (`{{H5429}}`) exists within a system of dry measures in ancient Israel, which includes:
* **Ephah** (אֵיפָה, `{{H646}}`): The most common dry measure, equivalent to three seahs. Its prevalence is seen in numerous biblical texts concerning offerings, tithes, and market transactions.
* **Omer** (עֹמֶר, `{{H6016}}`): A smaller unit, one-tenth of an ephah, famously associated with the daily portion of manna in the wilderness ([[Exodus 16:16]]).
* **Homer** (חֹמֶר, `{{H2549}}`): The largest dry measure, equivalent to ten ephahs or thirty seahs.
* **Letek** (לֶתֶךְ, `{{H3935}}`): A measure equal to half a homer, mentioned only in [[Hosea 3:2]].
The concept of precise and just weights and measures is a recurring theme in the Law, emphasizing integrity in commercial dealings (e.g., [[Leviticus 19:35-36]], [[Deuteronomy 25:13-16]], [[Proverbs 11:1]], [[Ezekiel 45:10]]). While "se'ah" is a specific unit, it falls under this broader theological concern for fairness and order. Its Greek New Testament equivalent, σάτον (saton, `{{G4515}}`), is notably used in the parable of the leaven ([[Matthew 13:33]], [[Luke 13:21]]), where a woman hides leaven in "three measures of flour" (three satons), illustrating the pervasive, transformative power of the Kingdom of Heaven from a small beginning. This cross-linguistic connection highlights the enduring practical relevance of this specific measure.
### Theological Significance
While primarily a unit of measure, the theological significance of "se'ah" (`{{H5429}}`) emerges powerfully from its biblical contexts:
1. **Divine Provision and Abundance:** The most profound theological implication stems from the narrative in 2 Kings 7. The prophecy concerning the price of a "seah" of fine flour and barley directly attributes the miraculous end of the famine to God's intervention. The "se'ah" becomes a tangible symbol of God's power to reverse dire circumstances and provide abundantly for His people, demonstrating His sovereignty over even the most basic necessities of life. It underscores the truth that God can provide sustenance even in the most impossible situations.
2. **Hospitality and Generosity:** In Genesis 18, the use of three seahs of flour for Abraham's guests exemplifies the ancient Near Eastern, and indeed biblical, virtue of generous hospitality. This act, performed for divine messengers, reflects a heart of open-handedness that mirrors God's own generosity towards humanity. The "se'ah" here is a practical measure of this virtue.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The precise fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy regarding the "se'ah" in 2 Kings 7 powerfully validates the word of God spoken through His prophets. It demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to execute His will with precision, even down to the specific quantities of grain.
4. **Order and Justice:** Although not explicitly tied to commands for just weights, the very existence of a "determinative" measure like the "se'ah" reflects an underlying principle of order and fairness in economic transactions. In a world prone to deceit, standardized measures were crucial for maintaining equity, a concept deeply rooted in biblical law and ethics.
In essence, the "se'ah," though a mundane unit, is often found in narratives that reveal profound truths about God's character: His power to provide, His faithfulness to His word, and His expectation of justice and generosity among His people.
### Summary
The Hebrew word סְאָה (çᵉʼâh, `{{H5429}}`) denotes a specific dry measure, roughly one-third of an ephah, rooted in a concept of "defining" or "determining" a fixed quantity. Its biblical occurrences, though few, are highly illustrative. In [[Genesis 18:6]] and [[1 Samuel 25:18]], it signifies generous provision and hospitality. Most significantly, in [[2 Kings 7:1]], [[2 Kings 7:16]], and [[2 Kings 7:18]], the "se'ah" serves as the precise unit by which God miraculously reverses a severe famine, demonstrating His power to provide abundantly and fulfill His prophetic word. This mundane measure thus carries profound theological weight, underscoring divine provision, the reliability of God's promises, and the practical outworking of biblical virtues like hospitality and justice within the daily lives of ancient Israelites. It stands as a testament to the fact that even the smallest details of life are subject to God's sovereign will and care.
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