Lexical Summary saharon: Crescent, Ornament Original Word: שַׂהֲרֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ornament, round tire like the moon From the same as cahar; a round pendant for the neck -- ornament, round tire like the moon. see HEBREW cahar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition moon, crescent NASB Translation crescent ornaments (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שַׂהֲרוֺן] noun [masculine] moon, or crescent; — only plural הַשַּׂהֲרֹנִים of (non-Israelite) ornaments of camels Judges 8:21, kings Judges 8:26, women Isaiah 3:18, ᵐ5 μηνίσκοι ᵑ9 (Isaiah 3:18) lunulae; on crescent as ornament see Dozyii. 760 LaneEgypt.ii.314 PerlesAnal. 79, compare Frä58. שׂוֺא see נשׂא a. I, II. שׂוּג see I, II. סוּג. שׂוּחַ Genesis 24:63 see I. שׁוּט. Topical Lexicon Overviewשַׂהֲרֹן denotes crescent-shaped ornaments, most commonly fashioned from gold and worn as jewelry. In the Old Testament they appear exclusively in narratives of judgment, serving as silent witnesses to human pride, pagan influence, and the contrast between outward adornment and inward devotion. Occurrences in Scripture • Judges 8:21 – After Gideon executed Zebah and Zalmunna, “he took the crescent ornaments that were on their camels’ necks”, trophies representing the wealth and idolatry of Midian’s kings. Historical and Cultural Background Crescent imagery permeated the ancient Near East. The moon-god Sîn was venerated from Mesopotamia to Arabia, and the crescent became a common emblem of divine favor, fertility, and royal power. Nomadic clans such as Midianites and Ishmaelites adorned both persons and animals with crescent pendants, mingling ornamentation with superstition. Possession of such objects therefore hinted at more than aesthetic taste; it signified cultural affinity with surrounding paganism. In Israel, jewelry itself was not condemned (Genesis 24:22; Exodus 3:22), yet the prophets denounced ornaments when they fostered arrogance or idolatry. Isaiah’s oracle portrays Jerusalem’s women draped in imported luxury, a symptom of apostasy soon to be judged. Spiritual Significance 1. Vanity versus Humility The crescents showcase how external splendor can mask internal emptiness. Gideon’s later crafting of an ephod from Midianite gold (Judges 8:27) became “a snare to Gideon and his household,” illustrating the subtle progression from victory spoils to stumbling block. 2. Separation from Pagan Culture Israel was called to be “a people holy to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 7:6). By confiscating and ultimately melting down these ornaments, Gideon symbolically severed Israel from Midianite religious imagery, though his subsequent misuse warns how easily icons re-emerge. 3. Divine Reversal Isaiah’s prophecy depicts the Lord personally disrobing Judah’s elite. What human pride elevates, divine judgment removes, fulfilling the principle, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Practical Application for Ministry • Discernment in Cultural Engagement Believers today navigate fashions and symbols laden with secular or occult meaning. Scripture urges examination of motives—whether adornment glorifies God or self (1 Timothy 2:9-10). • Stewardship of Victory Spoils Triumphs, resources, and talents gained through God’s deliverance should be directed back to His service, not reshaped into objects that lead hearts away from Him. • Shepherding Against Subtle Idolatry Church leaders, like Gideon, may unwittingly introduce “crescents” into worship—traditions or aesthetics that captivate the eye while distracting from Christ. Vigilance and regular reformation under Scripture safeguard purity. Related Themes Idolatrous jewelry (Genesis 35:4; Exodus 32:2-4); stripping of pride (Isaiah 2:11-17); treasures devoted to destruction (Joshua 6:18-19); warnings about worldly adornment (1 Peter 3:3-4). Forms and Transliterations הַשַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים הַשַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים השהרנים וְהַשַּׂהֲרֹנִֽים׃ והשהרנים׃ haś·śa·hă·rō·nîm hasSaharoNim haśśahărōnîm vehassaharoNim wə·haś·śa·hă·rō·nîm wəhaśśahărōnîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 8:21 HEB: וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־ הַשַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּצַוְּארֵ֥י NAS: and took the crescent ornaments which KJV: and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' INT: and Zalmunna and took the crescent which necks Judges 8:26 Isaiah 3:18 3 Occurrences |
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