8277. sarad
Lexical Summary
sarad: To escape, to survive, to remain

Original Word: שָׂרַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sarad
Pronunciation: sah-RAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-rad')
KJV: remain
NASB: remained
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to puncture, i.e. (figuratively through the idea of slipping out) to escape or survive

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
remain

A primitive root; properly, to puncture (compare sered), i.e. (figuratively through the idea of slipping out) to escape or survive -- remain.

see HEBREW sered

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to escape
NASB Translation
remained (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [שָׂרַד] verb escape (Arabic take fright, shy (of camel or horse), run away; Aramaic be terrified, survivor); —

Qal Perfect3plural שָֽׂרְדוּ Joshua 10:20 (J E; with מִן person), Benn strike out as dittograph

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The verb שָׂרַד (Strong’s Hebrew 8277) expresses the idea of surviving or remaining after a decisive event, usually a destructive judgment or battle. Though it appears only once, its lone occurrence in Joshua 10:20 anchors it to the broader, recurring biblical theme of a spared remnant—those left alive by the providence of God for His unfolding purposes.

Scriptural Occurrence

Joshua 10:20 is the single attestation:

“So it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had finished striking them with a very great slaughter until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities,” (Berean Standard Bible).

The term translated “survivors” (“the survivors who remained”) encapsulates both noun and verb forms built on the root שָׂרַד, underscoring the concept of a small group escaping total annihilation.

Historical Setting in Joshua

The battle at Gibeon was part of the southern campaign led by Joshua against the Amorite coalition. Divine intervention through hailstones and an extended day (Joshua 10:11–14) signified that the victory belonged to the Lord. The narrative pauses to note a handful of enemy combatants who “survived” by fleeing into fortified cities. Their temporary escape highlights both the completeness of Israel’s triumph and the inescapability of God’s judgment, for the campaign soon continued until “Joshua took all the land” (Joshua 10:42).

Theology of the Remnant

1. Instrument of Judgment and Mercy
• The remnant motif reveals that God’s wrath is never indiscriminate; He preserves some for His sovereign ends (Isaiah 10:20–22; Romans 11:5).
2. Assurance of Covenant Continuity
• Even when human unfaithfulness invites judgment, God maintains covenant promises by safeguarding a lineage or testimony (Genesis 6:18; Ezra 9:8).
3. Prophetic Foreshadowing
• Joshua’s historical “survivors” anticipate prophetic declarations that a future faithful remnant of Israel will turn to the Messiah (Micah 2:12–13; Zechariah 12:10).

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

The fugitives of Joshua 10:20 illustrate the tension between divine decree and human agency. They ran to strongholds, demonstrating human instinct for self-preservation, yet their survival rested ultimately on the boundaries set by God (Job 14:5). Scripture repeatedly affirms that “no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can prevail against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30), reminding believers that every escape is either permitted or prevented by His sovereign will.

Ministry Implications

1. Evangelistic Urgency
• Just as the Amorites’ fortified cities could not shield them indefinitely, no earthly refuge can protect sinners from final judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Gospel proclamation calls people to seek true refuge in Christ (Psalm 46:1).
2. Pastoral Encouragement
• Those who feel battered by trials can take heart that God specializes in preserving a remnant. Surviving is evidence of His sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).
3. Mission Strategy
• The remnant principle motivates long-term discipleship; ministry often flourishes through the few who remain faithful rather than the many who once showed interest (2 Timothy 2:2).

Christological and Eschatological Connections

Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate “Survivor” who passes through death and emerges victorious, guaranteeing life to those united with Him (Revelation 1:18). Eschatologically, a remnant from every tribe and nation will worship the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-14), fulfilling the pattern hinted at in Joshua’s day: survival unto worship, not mere self-preservation.

Practical Application for Believers Today

• Cultivate a remnant mindset—value faithfulness over popularity.
• Thank God for each instance of preservation, viewing every “escape” as a call to deeper obedience (Psalm 116:8-9).
• Intercede for those outside Christ, recognizing that temporal survival is mercy extended for repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Forms and Transliterations
שָׂרְד֣וּ שרדו śā·rə·ḏū sareDu śārəḏū
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Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 10:20
HEB: תֻּמָּ֑ם וְהַשְּׂרִידִים֙ שָׂרְד֣וּ מֵהֶ֔ם וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
NAS: and the survivors [who] remained of them had entered
KJV: that the rest [which] remained of them entered
INT: were destroyed and the survivors remained of them had entered

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8277
1 Occurrence


śā·rə·ḏū — 1 Occ.

8276
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