Lexical Summary serach: Serah Original Word: סֶרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance remnant From carach; a redundancy -- remnant. see HEBREW carach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sarach Definition excess NASB Translation overlapping part (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֶ֫רַח noun masculine excess; — הָעֹדֵף ׳ס Exodus 26:12 (P) the excess (that is, of tent-covering), which remains over. Topical Lexicon Entry: סֶרַח (Serach) Occurrence and Immediate Context The term appears once in the Hebrew canon: Exodus 26:12. There it identifies “the extra length that remains” of the goats’-hair tent covering fashioned for the wilderness tabernacle: “As for the extra length that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over shall hang down at the back of the tabernacle” (Exodus 26:12). The word therefore denotes an overhang or surplus portion of material deliberately incorporated into the sacred structure. Architectural Function within the Tabernacle 1. Protection. The surplus fabric formed a protective flap shielding the rear of the sanctuary from weather, dust, and prying eyes. Theological and Symbolic Implications Divine Overshadowing The overhang motif anticipates later biblical language of God’s people being “covered” or “overshadowed” by His presence (Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 4:5-6; Luke 1:35). The surplus curtain portrays covenant safety: the LORD provides more than what is strictly necessary—an abundance that secures and shelters. Abundance and Sufficiency Serach suggests that when God instructs, He supplies with excess. This resonates with themes of superabounding grace (Romans 5:20), the overflowing cup of Psalm 23:5, and the twelve baskets of leftovers after the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:13). The remnant fabric testifies that the LORD’s provision exceeds mere adequacy. Holiness with Margin The extra cloth created a “margin” of holiness around the sanctuary. In ministry, margins—Sabbath rest, financial generosity, emotional space—enable service without exhaustion (Mark 6:31; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Serach becomes a visual exhortation to build intentional margin so that our service can overflow to others. Intertextual Echoes • Exodus 25–31 repeatedly emphasizes precise obedience to the pattern shown on the mountain. Serach highlights that even what seems like “leftover” is purposeful in God’s design. Christological Typology The overhanging curtain foreshadows the super-abundant sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. Just as the rear of the tabernacle was hidden beneath the surplus cloth, so believers are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). His righteousness is not merely adequate; it is “more than enough” to cover every sin (Hebrews 7:25). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Provide protective covering for vulnerable saints—spiritual, emotional, and physical. Summary Though occurring only once, סֶרַח carries weighty significance. The “leftover” fabric of the tabernacle proclaims themes of divine protection, abundant provision, and intentional margin. It directs attention forward to the ultimate covering supplied in Jesus Christ and invites believers to pattern their worship, architecture of life, and ministry practice after the God who plans with gracious excess. Forms and Transliterations וְסֶ֙רַח֙ וסרח veSerach wə·se·raḥ wəseraḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 26:12 HEB: וְסֶ֙רַח֙ הָעֹדֵ֔ף בִּירִיעֹ֖ת NAS: The overlapping part that is left KJV: And the remnant that remaineth INT: the overlapping is left the curtains 1 Occurrence |
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