English · KJV
H8280

שָׂרָה

sârâh /saw-raw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto prevail
KJV usagehave power (as a prince).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of sârâh — 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 sârâh, represented by H8280, is a primitive root defined as to prevail; have power (as a prince). Though it appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, its significance is immense, as it describes a pivotal moment of transformation and the origin of a new identity for the patriarch Jacob.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The use of H8280 is exclusively tied to the narrative of Jacob wrestling. In Genesis, his name is changed from Jacob H3290 to Israel H3478 specifically because "as a prince hast thou power with God and with men" Genesis 32:28. This event is later recounted by the prophet Hosea, who states that in the womb Jacob took his brother by the heel H6117, "and by his strength he had power with God" Hosea 12:3. In both instances, the word signifies a successful struggle that results in a new status.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the context of having princely power:

  • H3478 Yisrâʼêl: This name, meaning "he will rule as God," is given to Jacob as a direct result of his prevailing H8280. The root word is embedded within the name itself, forever linking the people of Israel to this foundational struggle Isaiah 43:1.
  • H3201 yâkôl: Meaning "to be able, ... overcome, have power, prevail," this word is used in parallel with H8280 in the Genesis account. After Jacob has "power" (sârâh), the text confirms that he has "prevailed" (yâkôl), reinforcing the idea of successfully enduring a great contest Genesis 32:28.
  • H202 ʼôwn: Defined as "ability, power... might, strength," this word is used in Hosea to describe the means by which Jacob had power with God. It clarifies that Jacob's prevailing was an act of his "strength" Hosea 12:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8280 is centered on the relationship between humanity and God.

  • A New Identity: The act of sârâh is the direct cause of Jacob's name change to Israel. This marks a profound shift in his character and destiny, from a "supplanter" H3290 to one who has power as a prince with God Genesis 32:28.
  • Striving with the Divine: The word uniquely frames a dynamic where a mortal can engage in a struggle with God H430 and prevail. This is not a contest of overpowering God, but of persevering to the point of receiving a new name and character.
  • The Foundation of a People: By being embedded in the name Israel H3478, the concept of sârâh becomes a defining characteristic of the nation. It suggests a people marked by a history of divine encounter and perseverance.

Summary

In summary, H8280 is a potent and concise term that, despite its rarity, carries immense theological significance. It defines the very moment of Jacob's transformation into Israel, encapsulating the concept of having princely power born from a struggle with God. The word illustrates how a singular event can establish the foundational identity for an entire people and their relationship with the divine.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • שָׂרִיתָ
  • שָׂרָה

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.

H3290 יַעֲקֹב from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel H6117 עָקַב a primitive root; properly, to swell out or up; used only as denominative from עָקֵב,; to seize by the heel; figurativel H3201 יָכֹל or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (w H202 אוֹן probably from the same as אָוֶן (in the sense of effort, but successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth; force, H430 אֱלֹהִים plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article)

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 Genesis and Hosea (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Genesis
1
Hosea

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.