from an unused root (akin to נָשָׂא and שׁוֹא) meaning to rise; a rising; arise.
Transliteration:sôwʼ
Pronunciation:so
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma שׂוֹא (sôwʼ, `{{H7721}}`) is derived from an unused root, yet its core meaning is clearly delineated by its connection to the concept of "rising" or "elevation." The Strong's definition explicitly links it to roots such as נָשָׂא (nāśāʼ, `{{H5375}}`), meaning "to lift, carry, bear," and שׁוֹא (shôʼ, `{{H7722}}`), which, while primarily denoting "desolation" or "ruin," may share an ancient semantic field related to a forceful movement or a sweeping away. The fundamental idea conveyed by שׂוֹא is an upward movement, a surge, an emergence, or an elevation, often implying a powerful and overwhelming force, particularly in the context of water or a collective body like an army.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שׂוֹא (sôwʼ) is notably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two distinct contexts, both of which reinforce its meaning of a powerful, surging movement:
* **[[Ezekiel 32:2]]**: "Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers."
* In this prophetic lamentation against Pharaoh, שׂוֹא is translated as "troubledst" or "stirred up." The imagery is of a great sea monster (Pharaoh) that "rises" or "surges" forth into the waters, disrupting and fouling them. The "rising" here is not merely a gentle ascent but a forceful, destructive emergence that causes chaos and pollution. It vividly portrays Pharaoh's oppressive and disruptive influence over the nations.
* **[[Daniel 11:26]]**: "Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain."
* Here, שׂוֹא is rendered as "overflow" or "surge forth." The context describes the internal betrayal and subsequent overwhelming defeat of a king's forces. The "rising" or "overflowing" of the opposing army signifies an irresistible, powerful advance that sweeps away resistance and leads to widespread destruction. The metaphor of a surging flood is again evident, illustrating an unstoppable military force.
Across both occurrences, the consistent thread is a powerful, often overwhelming, upward or outward movement, frequently associated with the force of water or a military host.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of שׂוֹא (sôwʼ) intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to rising, lifting, or surging:
* **נָשָׂא (nāśāʼ, `{{H5375}}`)**: As indicated by the Strong's definition, this common verb means "to lift, carry, bear, take up." While נָשָׂא is broad, encompassing the act of lifting or bearing a burden, שׂוֹא specifically emphasizes the *process* of a powerful, often disruptive, surge or emergence.
* **שׁוֹא (shôʼ, `{{H7722}}`)**: Meaning "desolation, ruin, waste," this word is noted as "akin to" שׂוֹא. While their meanings diverge, the connection might lie in a shared root concept of "emptying out" or "sweeping away" (as a destructive flood might do), which involves a kind of forceful removal or "rising" of elements.
* **גָּאָה (gāʼāh, `{{H1342}}`)**: This verb means "to rise up, grow up, be exalted, swell." It is frequently used to describe the swelling of waters (e.g., the Jordan River) or the rising of pride. גָּאָה provides a strong conceptual parallel to the "rising" aspect of שׂוֹא, particularly when depicting the surge of water.
* **עָלָה (ʻālāh, `{{H5927}}`)**: The most ubiquitous Hebrew verb for "to go up, ascend, arise." While עָלָה is a general term for upward movement, שׂוֹא carries a more specific and intense nuance of a powerful, often overwhelming, and sometimes disruptive surge or overflow.
### Theological Significance
Though infrequent, the occurrences of שׂוֹא (sôwʼ) are imbued with significant theological implications, primarily through their metaphorical applications concerning human power and its limitations.
In [[Ezekiel 32:2]], Pharaoh's "rising" or "stirring" of the waters symbolizes the arrogant and destructive exercise of human dominion. It portrays a human ruler attempting to assert control and causing chaos, a stark contrast to the divine order. This "rising" is associated with hubris and the disruption of creation, serving as a prophetic warning against unchecked earthly power.
Similarly, in [[Daniel 11:26]], the "overflowing" or "surging" of an army represents the overwhelming, often violent, force of human kingdoms and their capacity for conquest and destruction. This imagery speaks to the transient and often brutal nature of worldly powers, which rise and fall in the grand sweep of history.
The very depiction of uncontrollable surges, whether of water or armies, implicitly points to the ultimate sovereignty of God over all forces, both natural and human. While human or natural powers may שׂוֹא (rise up) with great might, they are ultimately subject to divine decree and purpose. The imagery of a destructive *rising* can also serve as a potent warning against pride and self-exaltation, echoing broader biblical themes concerning the downfall of nations and individuals who elevate themselves against the Lord.
### Summary
The Hebrew lemma שׂוֹא (sôwʼ, `{{H7721}}`) signifies a powerful "rising" or "surging," akin to an overflowing flood or an advancing army. Derived from an unused root linked to elevation, its rare biblical appearances in [[Ezekiel 32:2]] and [[Daniel 11:26]] consistently depict a forceful, often disruptive, upward or outward movement. In Ezekiel, it describes Pharaoh's destructive stirring of waters, symbolizing oppressive and chaotic power. In Daniel, it refers to an army's overwhelming advance, highlighting the potent yet transient nature of worldly dominion. Conceptually, it relates to נָשָׂא (nāśāʼ, `{{H5375}}`) in its sense of lifting, and גָּאָה (gāʼāh, `{{H1342}}`) in its depiction of swelling. Theologically, שׂוֹא serves as a vivid metaphor for the formidable, yet ultimately limited, power of human and natural forces, implicitly underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty over all that rises and falls within creation.
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