Word Study for H8271 (שְׁרֵא)

shᵉrêʼ /sher-ay'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) a root corresponding to that of שֵׁרוּת

Meaningto free, separate; figuratively, to unravel, commence; by implication (of unloading beasts) to reside

KJV usagebegin, dissolve, dwell, loose.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉrêʼ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word שְׁרֵא (shᵉrêʼ), represented by H8271, is a versatile verb with a range of meanings including to free, unravel, reside, or begin. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Aramaic portions of Scripture, demonstrating its importance in conveying concepts from physical release to divine action and the solving of complex problems.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H8271 is used in several distinct contexts. It can describe a state of physical freedom, as when the four men in the fiery furnace were seen walking about loose and unharmed Daniel 3:25. Conversely, it can illustrate a physical unraveling caused by fear, where King Belshazzar's "joints of his loins were loosed" upon seeing the divine writing on the wall Daniel 5:6. Figuratively, the word is used to describe Daniel's unique ability for the "dissolving of doubts" (Daniel 5:12, Daniel 5:16). It is also used to signify the commencement of a great work, as when Zerubbabel and Jeshua "began to build the house of God" Ezra 5:2. Finally, it describes a divine attribute, noting that "light dwelleth" with God Daniel 2:22.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the actions and concepts associated with H8271:

H7001 qᵉṭar (doubt, joint): This word signifies a "knot" or a "riddle" and is what Daniel is able to dissolve Daniel 5:12. It is also used literally for the "joints" of the king's loins that were loosed in terror Daniel 5:6.
H1124 bᵉnâʼ (build, make): This verb is directly paired with H8271 to show the initiation of a significant project, as when the leaders of Israel began to build the house of God Ezra 5:2.
H6590 pᵉshar (to interpret): Daniel's capacity for "dissolving doubts" is listed alongside his skill in "interpreting of dreams," linking the unraveling of problems to the revelation of divine secrets Daniel 5:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8271 is evident in its varied applications.

Divine Revelation: The word underscores God's sovereignty over knowledge. Light "dwelleth" with Him, and He is the one who ultimately "revealeth the deep and secret things" Daniel 2:22. Daniel's ability to "dissolve doubts" is presented as a gift from an "excellent spirit," pointing to God as the source of wisdom Daniel 5:12.
Consequence and Deliverance: The word illustrates two opposing reactions to divine power. For the defiant king, God's presence brings a physical unraveling and terror Daniel 5:6. For the faithful servants, God's presence in the fire brings miraculous freedom, leaving them loose and safe Daniel 3:25.
Commencement of God's Plan: The use of H8271 to mark the moment Zerubbabel and Jeshua "began to build" highlights a pivotal act of restoration for Israel, undertaken with the direct help of God's prophets Ezra 5:2.

Summary

In summary, H8271 is a dynamic term whose meaning shifts significantly with its context. It can represent literal unbinding, the beginning of a holy task, the intellectual unraveling of mysteries, or the very residence of divine light. From the loosening of a king's joints in fear to the freeing of the faithful in the fire, shᵉrêʼ encapsulates concepts of release, revelation, and divine initiative.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מִשְׁתָּרַיִן
שָׁרִיו
שְׁרַיִן
שְׁרֵא
מְשָׁרֵא
מִשְׁרֵא

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (5 verses); never once in the other 37.

Ezra

Daniel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.