What does סָגַר (sāgar) mean in the Bible?
H5462 means to shut, close, confine, enclose, or deliver someone over. 21, God closes flesh over the place from which He forms the woman.
Hebrew · H5462
סָגַר
To shut up; figuratively, to surrender
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סָגַרH5462
Pronunciationsāgar
What does סָגַר (sāgar) mean in the Bible?
H5462 means to shut, close, confine, enclose, or deliver someone over. 21, God closes flesh over the place from which He forms the woman.
Reader summary
Full entry for סָגַר (H5462) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5462?
The BSB source-word alignment has 91 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include shut (7), be shut (4), of pure (3), shall isolate (3), and shut (2).
Where does סָגַר (sāgar) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 2:21. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Samuel (11), Leviticus (11), Ezekiel (7), Isaiah (7).
What This Word Actually Means
H5462 means to shut, close, confine, enclose, or deliver someone over. In Gen. 2. 21, God closes flesh over the place from which He forms the woman. In 2Kgs. 4. 4, a widow shuts the door with her sons while the provided oil fills borrowed vessels. In Deut. 23. 15, Israel must not deliver an escaped slave back to the master from whom refuge was sought. H5462 opens teaching on protective privacy, bodily wholeness, confinement, access and authority, surrendered populations, and refuge from exploitation.
It does not prove that infertility is punishment, authorize secretive ministry control, or permit returning a vulnerable person to an abuser. Context decides who closes, who is confined, and whether the action protects or harms.
How the Bible Uses It
H5462 covers closing wounds, doors, gates, wombs, and cities; isolating people; enclosing spaces; and handing persons or territory over. Closure may protect, heal, confine, exclude, or mark defeat according to agent and purpose.
- Gen.2.21
So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh.
God closes the man's flesh after taking from his side in the formation of the woman.
- 2Kgs.4.4
Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”
The widow shuts the door with her sons while God's provision multiplies in a private household setting.
- Deut.23.15
Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.
Israel is forbidden to deliver an escaped slave back to the master from whom refuge has been sought.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itshut7×2 Kings 4:4, 2 Kings 6:32, 2 Chronicles 28:24, 2 Chronicles 29:7
be shut4×Nehemiah 13:19, Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 60:11, Ezekiel 46:2
of pure3×1 Kings 7:49, 2 Chronicles 4:20, 2 Chronicles 4:22
shall isolate3×Leviticus 13:4, Leviticus 13:31, Leviticus 13:33
and shut2×Genesis 19:10, Isaiah 26:20
delivered me2×1 Samuel 24:18, Psalms 31:8
had closed2×1 Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 1:6
shall isolate him2×Leviticus 13:21, Leviticus 13:26
surrender2×Joshua 20:5, 1 Samuel 23:12
was shut2×Joshua 2:7, Ezekiel 44:1
were pure2×1 Kings 10:21, 2 Chronicles 9:20
with pure2×1 Kings 6:20, 1 Kings 6:21
. . .1×Joshua 6:1
about to close1×Joshua 2:5
and after she had shut1×2 Kings 4:5
and close1×Leviticus 14:38
and closed up1×Genesis 2:21
and isolate1×Leviticus 13:50
and isolated1×Leviticus 13:54
and javelin1×Psalms 35:3
and repaired1×1 Kings 11:27
and what he shuts1×Isaiah 22:22
are shut1×Ecclesiastes 12:4
but delivered1×Psalms 78:50
closed1×2 Kings 4:33
closed in1×Judges 3:22
closing1×Judges 3:23
deliver me1×1 Samuel 30:15
deliver up1×Obadiah 1:14
delivering [them] up1×Amos 1:6
for delivering him1×1 Samuel 23:20
had given them up1×Deuteronomy 32:30
has boxed them1×Exodus 14:3
has delivered1×1 Samuel 26:8
has delivered me1×Job 16:11
have been shut tight1×Jeremiah 13:19
He abandoned1×Psalms 78:48
He has delivered1×Lamentations 2:7
He has delivered up1×2 Samuel 18:28
he has trapped himself1×1 Samuel 23:7
He imprisons1×Job 12:14
He surrendered1×Psalms 78:62
is closed1×Isaiah 24:10
isolate him1×Leviticus 13:11
kept shut1×Ezekiel 46:1
Let her be confined1×Numbers 12:14
Let us shut1×Nehemiah 6:10
must be closed1×Ezekiel 46:12
must isolate him1×Leviticus 13:5
one can shut1×Isaiah 22:22
return1×Deuteronomy 23:15
shut him in1×Genesis 7:16
shut yourself1×Ezekiel 3:24
shutting1×Genesis 19:6
so I will deliver up1×Amos 6:8
surrender me1×1 Samuel 23:11
that it is closed up1×Leviticus 14:46
the pure1×1 Kings 7:50
Then she shut [the door]1×2 Kings 4:21
they delivered up1×Amos 1:9
They have closed1×Psalms 17:10
They locked themselves in1×Judges 9:51
They will1×1 Samuel 23:12
They will be confined1×Isaiah 24:22
tightly1×Job 41:15
to imprison you1×Job 11:10
was confined1×Numbers 12:15
was tightly shut up1×Joshua 6:1
will deliver you1×1 Samuel 17:46
would shut1×Malachi 1:10
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 2:21וַיִּסְגֹּ֥רtoand closed upConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 7:16וַיִּסְגֹּ֥רtoshut him inConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 19:6סָגַ֥רtoshuttingVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 19:10סָגָֽרוּ׃toand shutVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralExodus 14:3סָגַ֥רtohas boxed themVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 13:4וְהִסְגִּ֧ירtoshall isolateConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 13:5וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹtomust isolate himConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularLeviticus 13:11יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּtoisolate himVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularLeviticus 13:21וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹtoshall isolate himConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularLeviticus 13:26וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹtoshall isolate himConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 2:21
Aligned rows91
Books represented23
Genesis4Exodus1Leviticus11Numbers2Deuteronomy2Joshua5Judges31 Samuel112 Samuel11 Kings62 Kings52 Chronicles5Nehemiah2Job5Psalms6Ecclesiastes1Isaiah7Jeremiah1Lamentations1Ezekiel7Amos3Obadiah1Malachi1
Source forms
סָג֑וּר7xsā·ḡūr1 Kings 6:20, 1 Kings 6:21, 1 Kings 7:49, 1 Kings 7:50
סָגַ֥ר4xsā·ḡarGenesis 19:6, Exodus 14:3, 1 Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 1:6
וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ3xwə·his·gî·rōwLeviticus 13:21, Leviticus 13:26, Leviticus 13:54
וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר3xway·yis·gōrGenesis 2:21, Genesis 7:16, 2 Kings 4:33
סָגֽוּר׃3xsā·ḡūr2 Chronicles 4:20, Ezekiel 44:1, Ezekiel 44:2
וְהִסְגִּ֧יר2xwə·his·gîrLeviticus 13:4, Leviticus 13:31
וְהִסְגִּ֥יר2xwə·his·gîrLeviticus 13:50, Leviticus 14:38
וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר2xway·yas·gêrPsalms 78:48, Psalms 78:62
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular13x1 Kings 6:20, 1 Kings 6:21, 1 Kings 7:49, 1 Kings 7:50
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular6xGenesis 2:21, Genesis 7:16, Judges 3:22, Judges 3:23
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular6xGenesis 19:6, Exodus 14:3, 1 Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 1:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular5xLeviticus 13:4, Leviticus 13:31, Leviticus 13:33, Leviticus 13:50
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular4xLeviticus 13:5, Leviticus 13:21, Leviticus 13:26, Leviticus 13:54
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural4xGenesis 19:10, Joshua 2:7, 2 Chronicles 29:7, Psalms 17:10
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural3xJoshua 20:5, 1 Samuel 23:12
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular3xLeviticus 14:46, Psalms 78:50, Lamentations 2:7
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not tell people experiencing infertility that God closed a womb because of hidden sin or that a promised pregnancy can be guaranteed.
- Do not use closed-door spiritual direction to isolate people from advocates, records, reporting channels, or lawful protection.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that every closed opportunity, relationship, or physical condition is a specific message from God.
- Do not claim that institutional authority to open or shut overrides civil law, informed consent, or protection from abuse.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Physical enclosure extends to covenantal surrender: God "shuts up" enemies into defeat or delivers them into judgment.
Strong'sH5462
Lexical occurrences91 versesWord forms5 forms44 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 7:11-16Source Gloss
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Physical enclosure extends to covenantal surrender: God "shuts up" enemies into defeat or delivers them into judgment.
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender BDB: shut Usage: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, × pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, × straitly.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups5Aligned forms44
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense19×
Perfect1Kgs 11:27 · 1Sam 1:5 · 1Sam 1:6 · Exod 14:3 · Gen 19:6 · Job 3:10 · 2Chr 29:7 · Gen 19:10 · Josh 2:7 · Ps 17:1010×
Participle passiveEzek 44:1 · Ezek 44:2 · Ezek 46:1 · Job 41:75×
Participle activeIsa 22:22 · Josh 6:12×
Sequential imperfect2Kgs 6:321×
ImperfectJob 12:141×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action7×
PerfectLam 2:7 · Lev 14:46 · Ps 78:503×
Imperfect1Sam 23:12 · Josh 20:5 · Deut 23:163×
JussiveObad 1:141×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action2×
Perfect1Sam 26:8 · 2Sam 18:282×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action6×
ImperfectIsa 45:1 · Isa 60:11 · Ezek 46:2 · Num 12:144×
Perfect1Sam 23:71×
Sequential imperfectEzek 3:241×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
PerfectIsa 24:10 · Jer 13:192×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
God physically closes or seals the door of the ark during the flood
Showing 1 selected witness from 91 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
סָגַר is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
H5462 shows that closure is morally shaped by purpose and power. God closes flesh to complete healing in Genesis. The widow closes her door with her sons, not to hide exploitation, but to receive provision away from public performance and then resolve debt under prophetic instruction. Deuteronomy's refuge law gives closure an ethical edge by forbidding Israel to hand an escaped slave back to the master.
A border or door can protect the vulnerable rather than protect power from scrutiny. Other passages describe quarantines, besieged cities, closed wombs, and people delivered into another's hand. These uses must not be flattened. Faithful application respects privacy without cultivating secrecy, protects health without stigmatizing people, and treats those fleeing coercion as persons needing safety.
It also speaks gently about fertility: narrative statements about a closed womb do not authorize observers to assign blame or promise a particular outcome.
Anchor passage
Deut.23.15
Doctrinal connections
- H5462: closing can serve bodily healing and completion rather than rejection.
- H5462: private space can protect dignity and receive God's provision without becoming unaccountable secrecy.
- H5462: God's people are forbidden to surrender a refugee back to an exploiting master.
- H5462: gates and doors embody authority over access and therefore require just stewardship.
- H5462: temporary isolation in health-related law is bounded by examination and restoration.
- H5462: divine sovereignty over fertility must be taught with humility, compassion, and no speculative blame.
H5462 is a Hebrew verb for shutting or closing and can extend figuratively to handing over or surrendering. The grammatical object reveals whether the action concerns a door, body, womb, person, city, or enemy.
From Old to New Testament
Jesus uses opening and shutting imagery for kingdom authority, Revelation applies Isaiah's key language to Christ, and the New Testament repeatedly joins hospitality with protection rather than forced return to exploitation.