Lexical Summary sagrir: Storm, tempest Original Word: סַגְרִיד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance very rainy Probably from cagar in the sense of sweeping away; a pouring rain -- very rainy. see HEBREW cagar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sagar Definition steady or persistent rain NASB Translation steady rain (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סַגְּרִיר noun [masculine] steady, persistent rain (on formation compare BaNB 215); — absolute ׳יוֺם ס Proverbs 27:15 a day of steady rain, rainy day. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Hebrew 5464 סַגְרִיר depicts a “rainy” or “stormy” day. The unique occurrence in Proverbs 27:15 employs the term as the literal backdrop for a moral analogy, linking relentless precipitation with persistent strife. Background: Rain in the Biblical World In the land of Israel, most rainfall comes in the winter months. Torrents could be welcome for agriculture yet troublesome when roofs leaked or roads flooded. A “day of sagrir” therefore evokes both blessing and inconvenience—useful water arriving in an intensity that can hinder daily life. Scripture often uses weather imagery to communicate moral instruction (Genesis 7:11-12; Job 37:11-13), and סַגְרִיר joins that pattern. Occurrence in Proverbs 27:15 Proverbs 27:15: “A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” The proverb harnesses a vivid domestic scene: rainwater seeping through a flat, mud-plastered roof, falling drop after drop onto occupants below. The incessant sound and nuisance symbolize the wearing effect of continual quarrelling within the home. The focus is not on meteorology but on wisdom—highlighting how unchecked contention erodes relational stability just as water undermines earthen roofs. Wisdom Literature and Domestic Peace Proverbs repeatedly addresses marital harmony: • Proverbs 21:9 Each verse contrasts the misery of contention with the relative comfort of solitude. The sagrir imagery intensifies this theme by stressing duration (“constant dripping”) and environmental saturation (“rainy day”), urging listeners toward gracious communication (Proverbs 15:1) and self-control (Proverbs 16:32). Cultural and Architectural Context Ancient houses in Israel were constructed with beams overlaid by reeds and clay. Heavy rain could percolate through fissures, producing the dreaded drip. Without modern waterproofing, occupants might relocate possessions or even sleep on the roof to escape the soggy interior (cf. Proverbs 21:9). The illustration therefore resonated immediately with hearers who had mopped mud-spattered floors or patched ceilings after a winter storm. The Metaphor of Dripping: Persistence and Consequence 1. Persistence – The steady, unavoidable nature of the drip mirrors unremitting criticism or nagging. Comparative Scriptural Motifs • Ecclesiastes 10:18 warns that “through idle hands the roof leaks,” showing physical decay paralleling moral negligence. Ministry and Pastoral Applications • Marital counseling: Proverbs 27:15 invites spouses to examine speech patterns, fostering repentance and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32). Reflection in Christian Doctrine The proverb illustrates that wisdom addresses ordinary life. God’s Word does not merely concern grand events but daily interactions within the household. In Christ, believers receive both the model (Philippians 2:5-8) and the power (Galatians 5:22-23) to replace corrosive contention with love and patience, transforming homes once likened to drizzly misery into havens of grace. Forms and Transliterations סַגְרִ֑יר סגריר saḡ·rîr sagRir saḡrîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 27:15 HEB: ט֭וֹרֵד בְּי֣וֹם סַגְרִ֑יר וְאֵ֥שֶׁת [מִדֹונִים NAS: on a day of steady rain And a contentious KJV: dropping in a very rainy day INT: A constant A day of steady woman brawling 1 Occurrence |
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