### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shᵉchôwr**, represented by `{{H7815}}`, refers to a **coal** or the dinginess of soot. Derived from a root meaning to be black, this term is exceptionally rare. It appears **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its single usage highly impactful.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H7815}}` is found in the book of Lamentations, where it is used in a visceral description of the suffering inhabitants of Jerusalem. The verse paints a grim picture of nobles who have been ravaged by famine, stating, "Their visage is blacker than a **coal**" [[Lamentations 4:8]]. This powerful simile serves to illustrate the extreme physical degradation and the unrecognizably dark and withered state of their skin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of `{{H7815}}` is enriched by the words used alongside it:
* `{{H2821}}` **châshak** (to be dark): This is the verb used to describe the state of being "blacker" in [[Lamentations 4:8]]. The word is frequently used in prophetic texts to describe God's power to **darken** the sun and the heavens as an act of judgment [[Amos 8:9]].
* `{{H8389}}` **tôʼar** (outline, i.e. figure or appearance): This word, translated as "visage" in [[Lamentations 4:8]], often denotes a **beautiful** or **comely** appearance elsewhere in scripture [[Genesis 29:17]]. Its use in this context creates a stark contrast, highlighting the horrific transformation from beauty to decay.
### Theological Significance
The thematic weight of `{{H7815}}` is concentrated entirely in its single, graphic use.
* **The Reversal of Fortune:** The word is used to describe people of high standing, showing how judgment can erase status and physical well-being. Their appearance, once fair, is now darker than a coal, symbolizing a complete inversion of their former state.
* **Physical Manifestation of Calamity:** `{{H7815}}` provides a tangible symbol for the abstract horrors of siege and famine. The blackness it describes is not just a color but a mark of near-death, filth, and utter despair.
* **Loss of Identity:** The verse explicitly states that these figures "are not known in the streets" [[Lamentations 4:8]]. The coal-like blackness contributes directly to this theme of being rendered unrecognizable by suffering.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7815}}` is a powerful, specific term whose meaning is defined by its solitary context. While simply meaning **coal**, its use in Lamentations transforms it into a symbol of the deepest human suffering and the visible consequences of judgment. It demonstrates how a single word, in its precise placement, can convey a depth of pathos and horror that resonates far beyond its literal definition.
TRV