English · KJV
H8323

שָׂרַר

sârar /saw-rar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto have (transitively, exercise; reflexively, get) dominion
KJV usagemake self a prince, (bear) rule.
Idioms & phrasesidiom altogether

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sârar — 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 sârar, represented by H8323, is a primitive root signifying the exercise of dominion. It appears 6 times in 4 unique verses. Its core definition involves having or getting dominion, and it is used idiomatically to describe making oneself a prince or to bear rule.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H8323 describes different forms of authority. It is used prophetically in Isaiah, foretelling a time when princes will rule in judgment alongside a righteous king Isaiah 32:1. Similarly, Proverbs connects this act of ruling to divine wisdom, stating that by wisdom, "princes rule" Proverbs 8:16. The word also applies to domestic headship, as seen in the decree that "every man should bear rule in his own house" Esther 1:22. A different context appears in Numbers, where the Israelites accuse Moses of trying to make himself "altogether a prince" over them, using the word three times to emphasize a perceived illegitimate power grab Numbers 16:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the concept of rulership and authority:

  • H8269 sar (a head person... prince... ruler): This noun is derived from H8323 and often appears alongside it, designating the "prince" or "ruler" who performs the action of ruling (Isaiah 32:1, Proverbs 8:16).
  • H4427 mâlak (to reign... be king): This term for reigning as a king is used in parallel with sârar. In Isaiah 32:1, a king shall reign H4427 while princes rule H8323, distinguishing between monarchical rule and the dominion of other leaders.
  • H8199 shâphaṭ (to judge... govern... rule): This word for judging is thematically linked to sârar. In Proverbs 8:16, the verse mentions that princes rule H8323 and also refers to "all the judges of the earth," connecting just governance with rightful dominion.

Theological Significance

The use of H8323 carries significant conceptual weight regarding the nature of authority.

  • Righteous Dominion: The ideal exercise of sârar is tied to justice and divine order. This is seen when princes are prophesied to rule "in judgment" Isaiah 32:1 and when their rule is attributed to wisdom itself Proverbs 8:16.
  • Legitimate Authority: The word highlights the difference between appointed and seized power. While Isaiah and Proverbs describe a legitimate form of rule, the accusation against Moses in Numbers 16:13 uses H8323 to imply an unauthorized and self-appointed dominion.
  • Sphere of Influence: sârar is applied across various domains of leadership. It encompasses the governance of princes Isaiah 32:1, the authority within a household Esther 1:22, and the very act of seeking power over a people Numbers 16:13.

Summary

In summary, H8323 sârar, though used infrequently, offers a specific lens on the concept of dominion. It is not about kingship but about the active exercise of authority by those in leadership, or "princes." It illustrates a spectrum of rule, from the righteous and divinely-sourced authority in judgment to the domestic sphere of a household, and even to the negative sense of illegitimately making oneself a ruler. The word thus captures the nuanced act of bearing rule in its various forms.

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 7 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.

  • יָשֹׂרוּ
  • הֵשִׂירוּ
  • תִשְׂתָּרֵר
  • הִשְׂתָּרֵר
  • יָּשַׂר
  • שֹׂרֵר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H8269 שַׂר from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, H4427 מָלַךְ a primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implicatio H8199 שָׁפַט a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenss

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 4 verses across 4 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 35.

1
Numbers
1
Esther
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah

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.