Hebrew · H7836, G2212 · unreviewed

שָׁחַר

Properly, to dawn , i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking) · to seek

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

שָׁחַר H7836 properly, to dawn , i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking)

Pronunciation šāḥar

Early rising implies earnest, diligent pursuit; dawn-action metaphor conveys sincere seeking or persistent striving.

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ζητέω G2212 to seek

Pronunciation zētéō

To seek actively and intentionally, often implying desire, striving, or demanding rather than passive searching.

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What does שָׁחַר (shachar) mean in the Bible?

שָׁחַר · ζητέω is a Hebrew word meaning "to diligently seek or pursue early and earnestly".

Full entry for שָׁחַר (H7836, G2212) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to diligently seek or pursue early and earnestly

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 2×

Imperfect Job 8:5 1×

Participle active Job 24:5 1×

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×

Participle active Prov 11:27 1×

Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 3 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form

Participle 2 Imperfect 1

Stem

Piel 2 Qal 1

Mood

Indicative/jussive 1

OT Occurrences

Job 8:5 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Job 24:5 Piel · Participle Prov 11:27 Qal · Participle

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 10 — Learn from Israel, Flee Idolatry, and Seek the Good of Others for God’s Glory 1 Corinthians 13 — The More Excellent Way of Love Acts 17 — The Gospel Reasoned from Scripture and Proclaimed to the Nations Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New John 18 — The Arrested King: Betrayal, Sovereign Surrender, Denial, Trial, and the Kingdom Not of This World John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 7 — The Feast, the Divided Crowd, and the Living Water of Jesus Luke 11 — Prayer, Kingdom Conflict, True Hearing, and the Exposure of Hypocrisy Luke 12 — Fear God, Confess Christ, Seek the Kingdom, and Be Ready Luke 19 — The Son of Man Seeks the Lost, Receives the Kingly Kingdom, and Weeps over Jerusalem Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 6 — Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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