English · KJV
H5458

סְגוֹר

çᵉgôwr /seg-ore'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom סָגַר
Meaningproperly, shut up, i.e. the breast (as enclosing the heart); also gold (as generally shut up safely)
KJV usagecaul, gold.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çᵉgôwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word çᵉgôwr, represented by H5458, is defined as something properly "shut up". It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses. Based on this core idea, it is used to refer to gold, which is generally shut up safely, and the caul, or the breast which encloses the heart.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H5458 in scripture highlight its distinct applications. In Job, it represents a standard of immense material worth, where wisdom "cannot be gotten H5414 for gold" Job 28:15. In contrast, Hosea uses the term in a visceral depiction of divine judgment, where God threatens to "rend H7167 the caul H5458 of their heart H3820" like a bereaved bear Hosea 13:8, striking at the very core of a person's being.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which H5458 is found:

  • H3701 keçeph (silver): This word for silver appears alongside H5458 in a discussion of value, emphasizing that neither gold nor silver can be weighed for the price of wisdom Job 28:15.
  • H7167 qâraʻ (to rend, literally or figuratively): This is the violent action performed upon the "caul." The command to "rend your heart" Joel 2:13 shows its use in describing deep, internal affliction, similar to the judgment in Hosea 13:8.
  • H3820 lêb (the heart): As the organ enclosed by the "caul," the heart is central to this term's anatomical meaning. It is described as the source of the issues of life, making the act of rending its covering a fatal blow (Proverbs 4:23, Hosea 13:8).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5458 is expressed through its powerful and specific applications:

  • The Limit of Earthly Value: In Job, H5458 is used to establish that even the most precious and securely kept materials are worthless when compared to divine wisdom. It underscores a principle where material wealth cannot purchase spiritual treasures Job 28:15.
  • The Symbol of Divine Judgment: Its use as the "caul of their heart" provides a potent metaphor for absolute vulnerability before God. The act of tearing it open signifies a judgment that is not external but penetrates to the very center of life and being Hosea 13:8.
  • The Core of Being: The concept of "shut up" ties both meanings together, pointing to things that are protected and central. Whether it is safely guarded wealth or the protected heart, the term signifies a core that is a focus of great value or intense judgment.

Summary

In summary, H5458 is a rare but impactful word whose meaning is derived from the concept of being "shut up." It is used dually to denote precious gold and the protective caul of the heart. Through these two appearances, it serves as a powerful illustration of both the inadequacy of material wealth in the face of divine wisdom and the terrifying intimacy of God's judgment. It shows how a single, specific term can carry profound significance in its narrow contexts.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • סְגוֹר
  • סְגוֹר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5414 נָתַן a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, a H7167 קָרַע a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idi H3820 לֵב a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; like H3701 כֶּסֶף from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job and Hosea (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Job
1
Hosea

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.