Lexical Summary sur: To turn aside, to depart, to remove Original Word: שׂוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cut A primitive root (identical with suwr through the idea of reducing to pieces; compare massowr); to saw -- cut. see HEBREW suwr see HEBREW massowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to saw NASB Translation cut (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שׂוּר] verb saw ("" form of נָשַׂר; denominative from מַשּׁוֺר?); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיָּשַׂר 1 Chronicles 20:3 (but see שׂים 1a). — Hosea 9:12 see סור; Judges 9:22; Hosea 8:4 see שׂרר; Hosea 12:5 see שׂרה. p. 673, 6931, 962f, 975, 979 Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery שׂוּר (Strong’s 7787) denotes the act of sawing—an aggressive, repetitive cutting that separates what was once whole. Because the verb is intensive in form, the picture is not of delicate shaping but of forceful division. The single biblical occurrence presents the saw as an instrument of decisive judgment. Biblical Setting 1 Chronicles 20:3 records David’s treatment of the inhabitants of Rabbah after the conquest of the Ammonite capital: “David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes.” (Berean Standard Bible) The Chronicler, writing centuries after the event, highlights the completeness of David’s victory and the severity of his justice. By choosing שׂוּר, he underscores that the conquered city is irreversibly cut off from its former power and pride. Cultural and Historical Insights Ancient Near-Eastern warfare often included forced labor, but sawing was normally a craft associated with stone or timber. Turning so practical a tool into an agent of subjugation signals absolute dominance. In the Ammonite context—where Molech worship involved brutal rites—David’s harsh measure can also be read as a reversal of Ammon’s own cruelty (compare 2 Samuel 10:1-5). Intertextual Links • 2 Samuel 12:31 presents the same episode, showing the Chronicler’s deliberate echo and theological emphasis. Theological Implications 1. Divine Judgment Mediated through Human Agency – David is God’s anointed ruler executing justice (Psalm 2:9). The saw, though mundane, becomes a symbol of the Lord’s verdict on persistent rebellion. Pastoral and Practical Lessons • Justice and Mercy – Scripture records David’s merciful treatment of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9) alongside the severe judgment of Rabbah. Shepherds of God’s people must discern when mercy restores and when firmness protects the flock. Christological and Eschatological Echoes At the cross, the innocent Son endured the sword of judgment so rebels might be spared (Isaiah 53:5). Yet Revelation 19:15 foresees a day when Christ will “strike the nations,” ensuring that ultimate justice exceeds David’s temporal victory. The saw of human conquest prefigures the final, decisive separation of righteous and wicked (Matthew 13:49-50). Key Verse for Memorization “David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes.” 1 Chronicles 20:3 Summary שׂוּר embodies decisive, irrevocable judgment in the hands of God’s king. Though occurring only once, the verb sharpens the Chronicler’s portrayal of David as a righteous ruler who safeguards covenant purity. For today’s believer, it issues both sobering warning and hopeful assurance: the Lord will not leave evil unchecked, yet He provides a gracious escape through the greater Son of David. Forms and Transliterations וַיָּ֨שַׂר וישר vaiYasar way·yā·śar wayyāśarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 20:3 HEB: בָּ֜הּ הוֹצִ֗יא וַיָּ֨שַׂר בַּמְּגֵרָ֜ה וּבַחֲרִיצֵ֤י NAS: who [were] in it, and cut [them] with saws KJV: the people that [were] in it, and cut [them] with saws, INT: who brought and cut saws sharp 1 Occurrence |
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