from a primitive root meaning to tremble; trembling; Sered, an Israelite; Sered.
Transliteration:Çered
Pronunciation:seh'-red
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Çered (סֶרֶד), Strong's H5624, is primarily a proper noun, a personal name. Its base definition indicates derivation "from a primitive root meaning to tremble." Thus, the intrinsic meaning embedded within the name Sered is "trembling" or "one who trembles." As a proper noun, its semantic range is restricted to the individual bearing the name and, by extension, his descendants and the clan originating from him. The etymological root suggests a state of physical or emotional shaking, perhaps indicating fear, awe, or even a physical characteristic at the time of naming. However, for a personal name, this etymological meaning often serves as an evocative descriptor rather than a literal, ongoing state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Çered (סֶרֶד) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within genealogical lists.
1. [[Genesis 46:14]]: Sered is listed as one of the three sons of Zebulun, who was a son of Jacob and Leah. This verse is part of the enumeration of Jacob's household who went down to Egypt, establishing Sered as one of the seventy souls who formed the nascent nation of Israel.
2. [[Numbers 26:26]]: During the second census of Israel in the wilderness of Moab, Sered is again mentioned as a progenitor. The text states, "Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites..." This verse confirms that Sered's lineage continued and formed a distinct clan within the tribe of Zebulun.
In both contexts, Sered functions purely as a link in the genealogical chain, marking the origin of a significant family line within one of the twelve tribes of Israel. There are no narrative details, actions, or sayings attributed to Sered himself. His significance lies solely in his role as an ancestor.
### Related Words & Concepts
While H5624 itself is a proper noun, its etymological root points to the concept of "trembling." This links it conceptually to a broader semantic field of fear, awe, and physical shaking in the Hebrew Bible.
* `{{H2729}}` (חָרַד - charad): To tremble, be afraid, be anxious. This is a common verb used for fear or trembling, often in the presence of the divine or a great threat (e.g., [[Exodus 19:16]], [[1 Samuel 4:13]]).
* `{{H7461}}` (רָעַד - ra'ad): To tremble, quake, shake. Often describes physical trembling due to fear or divine presence (e.g., [[Psalm 77:18]], [[Jeremiah 5:22]]).
* `{{H6342}}` (פָּחַד - pachad): To fear, dread, be terrified. This term often denotes a deep, existential dread or terror (e.g., [[Genesis 31:42]], [[Job 3:25]]).
The name Sered, therefore, implicitly connects to a fundamental human experience of vulnerability and response to power, whether human or divine. Although no specific narrative explains *why* Sered was given this name, it situates him within a common biblical naming practice where names reflected circumstances, characteristics, or hopes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Çered, though indirect, lies primarily in the biblical emphasis on names and lineage.
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Lineage:** The meticulous preservation of genealogies in the Hebrew Bible underscores God's meticulous care for His covenant people and His sovereign plan unfolding through specific individuals and families. Sered, as a progenitor, is part of this divinely ordained tapestry of Israel's formation.
2. **Thematic Resonance of "Trembling":** While the name's meaning is not explicitly elaborated in Sered's narrative (as there is none), the concept of "trembling" holds significant theological weight. It can signify:
* **Human Frailty:** A recognition of human weakness and dependence before a powerful God or challenging circumstances.
* **Reverential Awe:** The "fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה - yir'at Yahweh), which is often described as a trembling or shaking in the presence of divine holiness and power (e.g., [[Psalm 2:11]]). This "fear" is not terror but profound respect and submission, foundational to wisdom and true worship.
* **Prophetic Foreboding:** In other contexts, "trembling" can signify divine judgment or the shaking of the earth at God's presence (e.g., [[Isaiah 64:2]]).
Given that Sered is a foundational figure, his name might hint at a foundational human posture before the divine.
3. **Names as Prophetic/Descriptive:** In ancient Israel, names often carried weight beyond mere identification. While we cannot definitively state the reason for Sered's name, its meaning "trembling" could have been descriptive of a characteristic, a circumstance surrounding his birth, or even a hope or prayer for his life – perhaps that he would walk in reverent awe of God.
### Summary
Çered (סֶרֶד, H5624) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "trembling" or "one who trembles," derived from a primitive root. Biblically, Sered is known solely as a son of Zebulun and a progenitor of one of the clans within the tribe of Zebulun, appearing in the genealogical lists of [[Genesis 46:14]] and [[Numbers 26:26]]. He has no narrative attributed to him. Despite the lack of specific narrative, the etymological meaning of his name connects him conceptually to the broader biblical themes of human frailty, the reverential "fear of the Lord," and the profound impact of divine presence. As a link in Israel's sacred lineage, Sered's name, though silent in narrative, carries the potential resonance of a fundamental human posture before the divine.
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