Word Study for H8295 (שָׂרַט)

sâraṭ /saw-rat'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningto gash

KJV usagecut in pieces, make (cuttings) pieces.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sâraṭ — 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 Hebrew word sâraṭ, represented by H8295, is a primitive root defined as to gash; cut in pieces, make (cuttings) pieces. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses, carrying a specific meaning related to severe cutting. Its usage conveys both a literal, prohibited action and a figurative, violent outcome.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical text, H8295 is used in two distinct contexts. In the Law, it is part of a direct command to priests, stating they shall not "make any cuttings in their flesh" Leviticus 21:5. This establishes the word within the realm of ritual purity and bodily integrity. In prophecy, the word is used metaphorically and with emphasis to describe divine judgment. Zechariah declares that those who oppose Jerusalem "shall be cut in pieces," with the verb repeated to signify the certainty and severity of their destruction Zechariah 12:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide further context for the actions associated with H8295, particularly in ritual and mourning:

H8296 sereṭ (an incision; cutting): This is the noun form directly derived from the verb. It appears with H8295 in the prohibition against priests making "cuttings" Leviticus 21:5 and is also forbidden for the general population in mourning for the dead Leviticus 19:28.
H7139 qârach (to depilate; make (self) bald): This action is forbidden alongside making cuttings in Leviticus 21:5, showing a pattern of prohibitions against specific physical expressions of mourning or ritual for priests.
H1548 gâlach (to be bald, i.e. (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste): Also appearing in Leviticus 21:5, this term for shaving is part of the same list of priestly regulations, where they are commanded not to "shave off" the corner of their beard.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H8295 is centered on two main themes:

Priestly Sanctity: The prohibition against making cuttings in the flesh, found in Leviticus 21:5, underscores the principle of holiness and physical wholeness required of the Aaronic priesthood. The command separates them for their sacred duties.
Divine Judgment: The use of H8295 in Zechariah 12:3 serves as a powerful illustration of God's wrath against the enemies of His people. The imagery of being "cut in pieces" depicts a violent and complete destruction, assuring protection for Jerusalem.

Summary

In summary, H8295 is a specific and potent verb for gashing or cutting. While its use is infrequent, it clearly delineates between a forbidden ritual act in the context of the Law and a powerful metaphor for inescapable divine retribution in prophecy. The word demonstrates how a physical action can be invested with deep significance, representing concepts of both personal holiness and national judgment.

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 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

יִשָּׂרֵטוּ
יִשְׂרְטוּ
שָׂרוֹט

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 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus and Zechariah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

Leviticus

Zechariah

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.