English · KJV
H5620

סַר

çar /sar/ Ask about this word
Rootcontracted from סָרַר
Meaningpeevish
KJV usageheavy, sad.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çar — 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 çar, represented by H5620, is a term for being peevish, heavy, or sad. It appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses, making it a highly specific descriptor within the biblical text. Its meaning is rooted in a sense of sullen discontent or sorrow.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5620 is used exclusively to describe the emotional state of King Ahab H256. It appears alongside displeased H2198 when he returns to his house H1004 after being denied his wishes (1 Kings 20:43, 1 Kings 21:4). This heavy sadness is specifically triggered by the word H1697 spoken by Naboth H5022 the Jezreelite H3158, who refused to give H5414 Ahab his family's inheritance H5159. This emotion was so profound that it caused Ahab to lie on his bed H4296, turn his face H6440 away, and refuse to eat H398 bread H3899 1 Kings 21:4. His wife Jezebel H348 questioned why his spirit H7307 was so sad H5620 that he would not eat 1 Kings 21:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the context of this peevish sadness:

  • H2198 zâʻêph (displeased): This word is used in direct conjunction with H5620 to emphasize Ahab's angry and displeased reaction to events (1 Kings 20:43, 1 Kings 21:4).
  • H256 ʼAchʼâb (Ahab): The subject of this emotion in all its biblical occurrences is Ahab, the king H4428 of Israel 1 Kings 20:43.
  • H7307 rûwach (spirit): Jezebel attributes Ahab's condition to his spirit, highlighting the deep, internal nature of his sadness 1 Kings 21:5.
  • H3899 lechem (bread): Ahab's refusal to eat bread serves as the primary outward expression of his inner heavy and sad state (1 Kings 21:4, 1 Kings 21:5).

Theological Significance

The use of H5620 carries significant implications within its narrative context:

  • Character Revelation: The word reveals the petulant character of King Ahab H256. Despite his position, he reacts with a heavy, peevish sadness when his desires for Naboth's H5022 land are denied 1 Kings 21:4.
  • Internal State and External Action: The term demonstrates the powerful link between an internal spirit H7307 and external behavior. Ahab's inner turmoil manifests as physical withdrawal—lying down on his bed H4296 and refusing nourishment 1 Kings 21:4.
  • Catalyst for Iniquity: Ahab's heavy and displeased state 1 Kings 21:4 creates the opportunity for Jezebel H348 to intervene, setting in motion the wicked plot against Naboth. The emotion itself becomes a passive gateway to greater sin.

Summary

In summary, H5620 is not a general term for sadness but a specific word for a heavy, peevish discontent. Its focused use on King Ahab H256 paints a portrait of a ruler consumed by sullen resentment when he does not get his way. The word effectively illustrates how a heavy heart can lead to physical inaction and create the conditions for others to enact great evil, as seen in the tragic account of Naboth H5022 and his inheritance.

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 an adjective across 3 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.

  • סַר
  • סָרָה

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.

H256 אַחְאָב once (by contraction) אֶחָב (Jeremiah 29:22); from אָח and אָב; brother (i.e. friend) of (his) father; Achab, the name o H2198 זָעֵף from זָעַף; angry; displeased. H1004 בַּיִת probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, d H1697 דָּבָר from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, H5022 נָבוֹת feminine plural from the same as נֹב; fruits; Naboth, an Israelite; Naboth. H3158 יִזְרְעֵאלִי patronymically from יִזְרְעֵאל; a Jizreelite or native of Jizreel; Jezreelite.

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

3 verses, all in 1 Kings — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.