What does שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ mean in the Bible?
שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "that swarms/moves on the earth".
Hebrew · H8317, H776
הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל־הָאָרֶץ
To wriggle , i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound · the earth (at large, or partitively a land )
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׁרַץ H8317 to wriggle , i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound
Pronunciation šāraṣ
Movement from creeping/wriggling to abundant proliferation; connotes teeming, fertile multiplication in natural or ceremonial contexts.
Open lexicon entry →
אֶרֶץ H776 the earth (at large, or partitively a land )
Pronunciation erets
Physical ground and soil extend metaphorically to inhabited territory, nation, and cosmic order under divine rule.
Open lexicon entry →
What does הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל־הָאָרֶץ (haššōrēṣ ʿal-hāʾāreṣ) mean in the Bible?
שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "that swarms/moves on the earth".
Full entry for הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל־הָאָרֶץ (H8317, H776) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H8317, H776?
H8317, H776 is connected to 2,519 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. that swarms/moves on the earth
Source Gloss
that swarms/moves on the earth
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 groups 1 Aligned forms 5
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 5×
Imperfect Ezek 47:9 · Gen 1:20 2×
Perfect Gen 1:21 · Ps 105:30 2×
Sequential imperfect Gen 9:7 1×
Word Origins
הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל־הָאָרֶץ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
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
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain