The Hebrew word shôʻâr, represented by H8182, is a term meaning vile. Derived from a root suggesting harsh or horrid things, it denotes something offensive. This word is extremely rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, highlighting its specific and impactful usage.
The sole use of H8182 is found in a prophecy of judgment in Jeremiah 29:17. In this verse, the LORD of hosts declares He will send the sword, famine, and pestilence upon the people. He will make them "like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil." The word directly links the state of the people to something so spoiled and offensive that it is inedible and worthless.
The concept of something being vile H8182 is directly associated with instruments of divine judgment. The verse where it appears connects it to several other significant terms:
- H2719 chereb (sword): Defined as drought or a cutting instrument, this word often represents war and destruction. It appears alongside famine and pestilence as a primary form of judgment Jeremiah 21:7.
- H7458 râʻâb (famine): Meaning hunger, this term signifies a severe lack of food and is frequently used to describe divine punishment or hardship Jeremiah 16:4.
- H1698 deber (pestilence): This word refers to a plague or murrain and is part of a recurring trio of judgments (sword, famine, and pestilence) announced by the prophets Jeremiah 28:8.
- H7455 rôaʻ (evil): Meaning badness, wickedness, or sorrow, this word is used in Jeremiah 29:17 to describe why the figs are vile and cannot be eaten, directly linking the physical state to a moral or qualitative one.
The theological weight of H8182 is concentrated in its single, powerful image of divine judgment.
- Symbol of Worthlessness: The use of vile figs to describe the people is a metaphor for being utterly rejected and useless. Just as a spoiled fig cannot fulfill its purpose of providing nourishment, the people are declared unfit for their covenant purpose.
- Consequence of Evil: The passage explicitly states the figs are vile because they are "so evil" H7455, directly connecting the state of being offensive and horrid to the people's wickedness and doings (Jeremiah 4:4, Hosea 9:15).
- Association with Judgment: The term appears within the classic prophetic formula of judgment: "the sword H2719, the famine H7458, and with the pestilence H1698." This context solidifies its meaning as not just unpleasant, but as a condition that warrants severe divine response Jeremiah 29:18.
In summary, H8182 shôʻâr is a specific and potent term for that which is vile and offensive. Though used only once, its context in Jeremiah 29:17 gives it significant weight, serving as a powerful metaphor for people who have become worthless and inedible in the sight of God. It is inseparably linked to the consequences of evil and the severe judgments of the sword, famine, and pestilence, illustrating how a single word can encapsulate a state of utter moral and spiritual decay.
TRV