Lexical Summary sarach: To spread, to extend, to go beyond Original Word: סָרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance exceeding, hand, spread, stretch self, banish A primitive root; to extend (even to excess) -- exceeding, hand, spread, stretch self, banish. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to go free, be unrestrained, overrun, exceed NASB Translation decayed (1), flowing (1), lap (2), sprawl (1), sprawlers' (1), spreading (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָרַח verb go free, be unrestrained, overrun, exceed (Late Hebrew סָרוּחַ overhanging, flapping; Arabic  of camels, etc., pasture where they please; also send forth to pasture; II. let a wife go free; let down the hair;  easy. — Late Hebrew סָרַח, Aramaic  usually = corrupt, sin); — Qal Imperfect3feminine singular תִּסְרַח Exodus 26:12; Participle active feminine סֹרַ֫חַת Ezekiel 17:6; passive סָרוּחַ (compare Köii. 1, 137 Ges§ 50 f. BaNB 180) Exodus 26:13; plural סְרוּחִים Amos 6:7, סְרֻחִים vAmos 6:4; construct סְרוּחֵי Ezekiel 23:15; — 1 go free, be unrestrained: וּסְרֻחִים עַלעַֿרְשׂוֺתָם Amos 6:4 i.e. probably = and are sprawling upon their couches (in contemptuous hyperbole), ׳מִרַזְח ס vAmos 6:7 the revelry of sprawlers; participle active of overrunning, spreading vine Ezekiel 17:6. 2 of overhanging stuffs (properly overrunning, exceeding, extended beyond limits) תִּסְרַח עַל אֲחֹרֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן Exodus 26:12 (P) it shall overrun (overhang), over the back of the tabernacle, so יִהְיֶה סָרוּחַ ׳עַלצִֿדֵּי הַמּ Exodus 26:13; סְרוּחֵי טְבוּלִים Ezekiel 23:15 overhungof turbans, extended with respect to turbans, = with pendant turbans (compare [טְבוּל]). Niph`al Perfect3feminine singular נִסְרְחָה חָכְמָתָם Jeremiah 49:7 usually is their wisdom let loose (i.e. dismissed, gone)? ("" הַאֵין עוֺד חָכְמָה בְּתֵימָ֑ן אָֽבְד עֵצָה מִבַּנִים); but NöExpos. May, 1897, 363 is corrupt (compare Late Hebrew, and especially Aramaic). Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and Figurative Texture The verb סָרַח (sarach) embraces the ideas of overhanging, spreading outward, looseness that leads to decay, and—by metaphorical extension—extravagant excess. Scripture employs the term in literal descriptions of fabric, vegetation, and clothing, and in prophetic poetry to unmask moral laxity or the withering of wisdom. The Tabernacle’s Modest Overhang (Exodus 26:12–13) The first two occurrences speak of the “extra length” of the goats-hair covering for the wilderness tent: “As for the extra length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang over the back of the tabernacle” (Exodus 26:12). The surplus cloth was to drape modestly over the structure, guarding the sanctuary from exposure. The image of sufficient, but not ostentatious, provision sets a pattern for worship that protects sacred space without self-display—a principle that resurfaces whenever God’s people are charged to honor Him with beauty yet avoid vain excess. A Vine That Spreads but Stays Low (Ezekiel 17:6) In Ezekiel’s parable, the transplanted vine “sprouted and became a low spreading vine”. The verb paints a picture of outward reach coupled with deliberate humility. The vine’s roots remain under the eagle’s authority; its low profile symbolizes vassal allegiance. When applied to covenant life, the lesson is clear: growth that abandons submission becomes rebellion; spread that keeps its roots anchored reflects fidelity. Extravagant Apparel and Hollow Allure (Ezekiel 23:15) The Babylonian horsemen are portrayed “with belts fastened around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads.” The flowing (sarach) headgear dazzles the eyes of compromised Jerusalem. Here sarach exposes the seduction of ostentation—external adornment that masks internal infidelity. The prophet’s sarcasm unmasks worldly glamour as a lure toward idolatry. Wisdom That Has Rotted Away (Jeremiah 49:7) Against Edom the LORD asks, “Has counsel perished…? Has their wisdom decayed?” The same word that describes surplus cloth or a spreading vine now pictures wisdom gone slack and useless, like fabric frayed beyond repair. The decay of Edom’s famed prudence warns that no culture, however celebrated, can retain insight once it discards reverence for the LORD. Lounging Luxury and Impending Loss (Amos 6:4–7) Amos confronts Israel’s elite: “You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, lounging on your couches…” (Amos 6:4). “Therefore, you will now be the first to go into exile, and the feast of your loungers will depart” (Amos 6:7). Sarach captures both the physical sprawl of self-indulgence and the moral slackness that precedes judgment. What hangs loose in comfort soon hangs limp in captivity. The prophet connects restless couches to restlessness in exile, underscoring that unchecked ease erodes covenant faithfulness. Interwoven Themes 1. Protection versus Exposure: In Exodus, sarach preserves holiness; in Amos it exposes decadence. What remains “left over” can either guard or indict, depending on obedience. Ministry Implications • Worship leaders should seek adornment that magnifies God without courting vanity, mindful of the modest overhang commanded for the tabernacle. Redemptive Trajectory Sarach’s varied uses anticipate the fullness of Christ. The One whose robe “filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1) provides perfect covering for His people, not merely an overhang but complete righteousness. In Him, wisdom never decays (Colossians 2:3), growth remains rooted (John 15:4), and rest is secured without moral slackness (Hebrews 4:9–11). Thus the scattered threads of sarach are gathered into a gospel tapestry that both warns and comforts the people of God. Forms and Transliterations וּסְרֻחִ֖ים וסרחים נִסְרְחָ֖ה נסרחה סְרוּחִֽים׃ סְרוּחֵ֤י סָר֜וּחַ סֹרַ֜חַת סרוח סרוחי סרוחים׃ סרחת תִּסְרַ֕ח תסרח nis·rə·ḥāh nisreChah nisrəḥāh sā·rū·aḥ saRuach sārūaḥ sə·rū·ḥê sə·rū·ḥîm seruChei seruChim sərūḥê sərūḥîm sō·ra·ḥaṯ soRachat sōraḥaṯ tis·raḥ tisRach tisraḥ ū·sə·ru·ḥîm useruChim ūsəruḥîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 26:12 HEB: הַיְרִיעָה֙ הָעֹדֶ֔פֶת תִּסְרַ֕ח עַ֖ל אֲחֹרֵ֥י NAS: that is left over, shall lap over KJV: that remaineth, shall hang over the backside INT: curtain over shall lap over the back Exodus 26:13 Jeremiah 49:7 Ezekiel 17:6 Ezekiel 23:15 Amos 6:4 Amos 6:7 7 Occurrences |
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