שָׂכַר

sâkar /saw-kar'/ Ask about this word
Meaningor (by permutation) סָכַר; (Ezra 4:5), a primitive root (apparently akin (by prosthesis) to כָּרָה through the idea of temporary purchase; compare שָׁכַר); to hire
KJV usageearn wages, hire (out self), reward
Idioms & phrasesidiom surely.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word sâkar, represented by H7936, means to hire. It appears 21 times across 18 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends beyond a simple transaction to include earning wages, being hired for a task, receiving a reward, or being used idiomatically to mean "surely."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7936 is frequently used in the context of hiring for military or political purposes. The children of Ammon hired Syrian mercenaries to fight against David 2 Samuel 10:6. This is also seen when they sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia 1 Chronicles 19:6. The word can also describe obtaining services for corrupt ends, such as when Tobiah and Sanballat hired someone to pronounce a false prophecy against Nehemiah Nehemiah 6:12. In a context of futility, it describes those who earneth wages only to put them into a bag with holes, signifying labor without God's blessing Haggai 1:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of hiring, its purpose, and its outcome:

  • H7043 qâlal (curse): This word describes the intended outcome of hiring Balaam, who was paid to curse the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:4, Nehemiah 13:2).
  • H2015 hâphak (to turn about or over): This demonstrates God's sovereignty over a hired transaction. Though Balaam was hired to curse, God turned the curse into a blessing Nehemiah 13:2.
  • H2318 châdash (to rebuild; renew, repair): This shows a positive use of hiring, where masons and carpenters were hired to repair the house of the LORD 2 Chronicles 24:12.
  • H2398 châṭâʼ (to miss; to sin): A man was hired so that Nehemiah would be afraid, sin, and give his enemies a reason to reproach him Nehemiah 6:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7936 is seen in several key principles.

  • Consequences of Human Schemes: The act of hiring often initiates a plan with significant moral consequences. Abimelech hired vain and light persons to follow him Judges 9:4, and opponents of the returning exiles hired counselors to frustrate their purpose Ezra 4:5.
  • Divine Reversal: Scripture shows that human efforts to hire agents for evil can be overturned by God. The plan to hire Balaam to curse Israel failed when God turned the intended curse into a blessing, demonstrating His ultimate authority Nehemiah 13:2.
  • Principle of Reward and Futility: The concept of earning wages is tied to divine blessing. Labor without God's favor is portrayed as earning wages that are immediately lost Haggai 1:6. The term is also used when God rewardeth the fool and transgressors, linking payment to consequence Proverbs 26:10.

Summary

In summary, H7936 moves beyond a simple economic term. It illustrates the use of resources to achieve a goal, whether it is constructive, like repairing the temple, or destructive, like hiring armies or false prophets. It serves as a powerful illustration of the conflict between human plans and divine sovereignty, showing that while people may be hired to carry out a certain task, God's will ultimately prevails.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 21 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 4×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hithpael Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 13 books. Most frequent in Nehemiah (3 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Deuteronomy
2
Judges
1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
2 Kings
2
1 Chronicles
2
2 Chronicles
1
Ezra
3
Nehemiah
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah
1
Haggai

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.