Lexicon ceren: Lord, Ruler, Tyrant Original Word: סֶרֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lord, plate From an unused root of uncertain meaning; an axle; figuratively, a peer -- lord, plate. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [סֶ֫רֶן]21 noun masculine tyrant, lord (Philistine loan-word); — plural absolute הַסְּרָנִים Judges 16:30 2t.; construct סַרְנֵי Judges 3:3 16t.; suffix סַרְנֵיכֶם 1 Samuel 6:4; — only of tyrants, lords of the Philistines, five in number Judges 3:3; Joshua 13:3 (D), 1 Samuel 6:16,18 compare 1 Samuel 6:4, i.e. apparently, one ruling each of the five cities (named 1 Samuel 6:17); without the numeral Judges 16:5 6t. Judges 16; 1 Samuel 5:8 7t. 1Samuel; + 1 Chronicles 12:20 (Bear Ginsb; v.1 Chronicles 12:19 van d. H.). II. [סֶ֫רֶן] noun [masculine] axle (Aramaic [סַרְעַמָּה] see סעף. סרף see שׂרף. Topical Lexicon Word Origin: The word סֶרֶן is of foreign origin, likely borrowed from a non-Semitic language, reflecting its use in the context of Philistine governance.Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G758 (ἄρχων, archon): This Greek term is used in the New Testament to denote a ruler or leader, similar to the role of a "seren" in the Philistine context. It is a general term for someone in authority. Usage: The word סֶרֶן is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the five lords of the Philistines, who were the rulers of the five major Philistine cities: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. It appears in contexts describing Philistine political and military leadership. Context: The term סֶרֶן (seren) is a unique title used exclusively for the rulers of the Philistines, a group of people who were among the Israelites' most persistent adversaries during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. The Philistines were organized into a pentapolis, a confederation of five city-states, each governed by a "seren." This title is distinct from other Hebrew terms for rulers, such as "melek" (king) or "sar" (prince), indicating a specific political structure unique to the Philistines. The "seren" were responsible for military and political decisions, often acting in concert to address common threats or opportunities. The term appears in several biblical passages, including Judges 3:3, 1 Samuel 6:4, and 1 Samuel 29:2, where the lords of the Philistines are mentioned in the context of their interactions with Israel. The Berean Standard Bible translates this term as "lords" in these contexts, emphasizing their role as leaders. Forms and Transliterations הַסְּרָנִ֔ים הַסְּרָנִ֖ים הסרנים וְסַרְנֵ֣י וְסַרְנֵ֤י וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶֽם׃ ולסרניכם׃ וסרני לְסַרְנֵ֨י לסרני סַרְנֵ֣י סַרְנֵ֤י סַרְנֵ֥י סַרְנֵ֨י סַרְנֵֽי־ סרני סרני־ has·sə·rā·nîm hasseraNim hassərānîm lə·sar·nê ləsarnê lesarNei sar·nê sar·nê- sarnê sarnê- sarNei ū·lə·sar·nê·ḵem ulesarneiChem ūləsarnêḵem vesarNei wə·sar·nê wəsarnêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 13:3 HEB: תֵּחָשֵׁ֑ב חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים הָעַזָּתִ֤י NAS: the five lords of the Philistines: KJV: five lords of the Philistines; INT: is counted five lords of the Philistines the Gazite Judges 3:3 Judges 16:5 Judges 16:8 Judges 16:18 Judges 16:18 Judges 16:23 Judges 16:27 Judges 16:30 1 Samuel 5:8 1 Samuel 5:11 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:12 1 Samuel 6:16 1 Samuel 6:18 1 Samuel 7:7 1 Samuel 29:2 1 Samuel 29:6 1 Samuel 29:7 1 Kings 7:30 1 Chronicles 12:20 22 Occurrences |
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; √ unknown); — סַרְנֵי נְחשֶׁת 
