Lexical Summary sara: To contend, to strive, to persist Original Word: שָׂרַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stretch out self, have any superfluous thing A primitive root; to prolong, i.e. (reflex) be deformed by excess of members -- stretch out self, (have any) superfluous thing. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to extend NASB Translation deformed (1), overgrown (1), stretch (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שָׂרַע] verb extend (Arabic ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Qal Passive participle שָׂרוּעַ extended, i.e. too long (in a limb or member), of man Leviticus 21:18, beast Leviticus 22:23 (see II. חרם). Hithpa`el stretch oneself: Infinitive construct הִשְׂתָּרֵעַ Isaiah 28:20 (see מַצַּע p. 427:a). שַׂרְעַמִּים see below שׂעף. Topical Lexicon Usage in Scripture Hebrew 8311 occurs three times, each time describing an action or condition related to “stretching out” or an abnormal extension of limb or space. In Leviticus it points to physical defects that disqualify a priest or an animal from sacrificial service, while Isaiah uses it metaphorically to expose Judah’s false sense of security. Priestly Qualifications and Holiness – Leviticus 21:18 “No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed.” The word highlights a limb so stretched or misshapen that normal function is impaired. The priest who bore such a condition could not minister at the altar. The exclusion was not punitive but illustrative: the priestly ministry mirrored the perfection of the LORD whom Israel served (Leviticus 21:6-8). Physical integrity symbolized moral and spiritual wholeness. By maintaining an unblemished priesthood, the covenant community learned that God’s presence demands completeness. Sacrificial Integrity – Leviticus 22:23 “You may, however, present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it will not be accepted as a vow offering.” Here שָׂרַע describes an animal whose limb is unnaturally elongated or impaired. Such an animal might be given voluntarily but never as a vowed offering, which represented the worshiper’s highest pledge. This guards two truths: 1. God deserves the best (Malachi 1:8). Any deviation would blur the coming reality of the flawless Lamb of God. Prophetic Imagery of Insufficiency – Isaiah 28:20 “For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too narrow to wrap around oneself.” Isaiah transforms the verb into an image: the rebellious leaders of Judah will find their alliances and schemes as inadequate as a cramped bed. What is too short to “stretch out upon” leaves the sleeper exposed, a picture of the restless insecurity produced by sin. The word that in Leviticus marked bodily deficiency now exposes spiritual deficiency. Theological Significance 1. Holiness requires wholeness. Physical completeness in the Torah anticipates the moral perfection fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:26). Practical Implications for Ministry • Leaders are called to exemplary character. While physical blemishes no longer bar ministry, moral deformities grieve the Spirit and hinder testimony (1 Timothy 3:2-7). Christological Fulfillment Every occurrence of שָׂרַע underscores humanity’s inability to meet God’s standard apart from grace. Where priests and sacrifices could be disqualified, Jesus remained wholly without defect. Through His perfect body offered once for all (Hebrews 10:10), believers are made complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), able to “stretch out” in the full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). Forms and Transliterations מֵֽהִשְׂתָּרֵ֑עַ מהשתרע שָׂר֣וּעַ שָׂרֽוּעַ׃ שרוע שרוע׃ mê·hiś·tā·rê·a‘ mehistaRea mêhiśtārêa‘ śā·rū·a‘ saRua śārūa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 21:18 HEB: חָרֻ֖ם א֥וֹ שָׂרֽוּעַ׃ NAS: [face], or any deformed [limb], KJV: or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, INT: disfigured or deformed Leviticus 22:23 Isaiah 28:20 3 Occurrences |