Lexical Summary ceren: Lord, Ruler, Tyrant Original Word: סֶרֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lord, plate From an unused root of uncertain meaning; an axle; figuratively, a peer -- lord, plate. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [סֶ֫רֶן]21 noun masculine tyrant, lord (Philistine loan-word); — plural absolute הַסְּרָנִים Judges 16:30 2t.; construct סַרְנֵי Judges 3:3 16t.; suffix סַרְנֵיכֶם 1 Samuel 6:4; — only of tyrants, lords of the Philistines, five in number Judges 3:3; Joshua 13:3 (D), 1 Samuel 6:16,18 compare 1 Samuel 6:4, i.e. apparently, one ruling each of the five cities (named 1 Samuel 6:17); without the numeral Judges 16:5 6t. Judges 16; 1 Samuel 5:8 7t. 1Samuel; + 1 Chronicles 12:20 (Bear Ginsb; v.1 Chronicles 12:19 van d. H.). II. [סֶ֫רֶן] noun [masculine] axle (Aramaic [סַרְעַמָּה] see סעף. סרף see שׂרף. Topical Lexicon Overview סֶרֶן appears twenty-two times in the Old Testament. In nearly every instance it designates a ruling figure of Philistia—one of the five hereditary governors who collectively controlled Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. A single, unrelated occurrence describes an axle of the Temple lavers (1 Kings 7:30). The word therefore unfolds two complementary themes: earthly rule in opposition to Israel and priestly service submitted to Yahweh. Philistine Governance and the Five Lords Joshua 13:3 provides the first scriptural notice, listing “the five lords of the Philistines” as territory yet to be driven out. Archaeology confirms a pentapolis structure in Philistia, and the biblical text presents the seranim (plural) as equal peers who governed together but also convened for joint military ventures (Judges 3:3; 1 Samuel 29:2). Their rule was hereditary and aristocratic rather than monarchical, sharpening the contrast with Israel’s later unified monarchy under David. Encounters in the Conquest and Judges Era Israel’s partial failure to expel these lords left a testing ground for the tribes (Judges 3:3). The Philistine oligarchy served as a foil for Israel’s theocratic ideal, exposing the spiritual cost of incomplete obedience. God allowed the seranim to remain so that “the generations of the Israelites might learn warfare” (Judges 3:1-4). Samson Narrative: Spiritual Showdown The climactic narrative of Judges 16 revolves around the seranim. They bribe Delilah—“each of the lords of the Philistines promised her seven hundred shekels of silver” (Judges 16:5)—revealing their pooled resources and united hatred of Yahweh’s deliverer. After Samson’s capture, they assemble for a national thanksgiving to Dagon: “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands” (Judges 16:23). Samson’s final act brings the temple down, killing “more in his death than in his life” (Judges 16:30), decisively shaming the Philistine deity and his ruling class. The account anticipates Christ’s triumph over principalities through apparent defeat (Colossians 2:15). Ark Narrative: Sovereignty of God over Foreign Powers 1 Samuel 5–7 portrays the seranim in crisis after seizing the ark. Tumors and panic follow from Ashdod to Ekron. Their pagan priests advise: “Make five golden tumors and five golden mice—according to the number of the lords of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 6:4). Even their restitution mirrors their political structure; the plague had fallen on every city-lord. When the ark reaches Beth-shemesh, “the five lords of the Philistines watched it and returned to Ekron that same day” (1 Samuel 6:16). The passage underscores Yahweh’s universal kingship: the ark needs no human army to humble foreign rulers. David’s Early Years and the Lords During Saul’s decline, David finds refuge at Ziklag, technically under Philistine jurisdiction. Yet the seranim distrust him as the armies gather at Aphek: “The commanders of the Philistines said, ‘Send the man back…’” (1 Samuel 29:4). Achish pledges David’s innocence but bows to the collective decision (1 Samuel 29:6-7), illustrating the balance of power among the five. Later, when David marches toward battle, deserting Benjaminites and Manassites meet him: “as he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul… he joined not with them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away” (1 Chronicles 12:20). The episodes display God’s providence in preserving David for kingship while frustrating Philistine designs. Symbolic Usage in Temple Craft The solitary non-political instance appears in the description of Solomon’s Temple furnishings: “Each stand had four bronze wheels and bronze axles” (1 Kings 7:30). The axle (seren) invisibly carries the weight of the laver yet remains unseen beneath ornamentation. Rabbinic tradition saw in the term a reminder that all human authority—whether Philistine lord or Temple artisan—turns upon a silent pivot ordained by God. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. God overrules pagan structures. The recurring humiliation of the seranim (Samson’s strength, the ark’s plague, David’s escape) testifies that every earthly authority is subordinate to divine purpose (Romans 13:1). Key References Joshua 13:3; Judges 3:3; Judges 16:5, 8, 18, 23, 27, 30; 1 Samuel 5:8, 11; 1 Samuel 6:4, 12, 16, 18; 1 Samuel 7:7; 1 Samuel 29:2, 6-7; 1 Kings 7:30; 1 Chronicles 12:20 Forms and Transliterations הַסְּרָנִ֔ים הַסְּרָנִ֖ים הסרנים וְסַרְנֵ֣י וְסַרְנֵ֤י וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶֽם׃ ולסרניכם׃ וסרני לְסַרְנֵ֨י לסרני סַרְנֵ֣י סַרְנֵ֤י סַרְנֵ֥י סַרְנֵ֨י סַרְנֵֽי־ סרני סרני־ has·sə·rā·nîm hasseraNim hassərānîm lə·sar·nê ləsarnê lesarNei sar·nê sar·nê- sarnê sarnê- sarNei ū·lə·sar·nê·ḵem ulesarneiChem ūləsarnêḵem vesarNei wə·sar·nê wəsarnêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 13:3 HEB: תֵּחָשֵׁ֑ב חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים הָעַזָּתִ֤י NAS: the five lords of the Philistines: KJV: five lords of the Philistines; INT: is counted five lords of the Philistines the Gazite Judges 3:3 Judges 16:5 Judges 16:8 Judges 16:18 Judges 16:18 Judges 16:23 Judges 16:27 Judges 16:30 1 Samuel 5:8 1 Samuel 5:11 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:12 1 Samuel 6:16 1 Samuel 6:18 1 Samuel 7:7 1 Samuel 29:2 1 Samuel 29:6 1 Samuel 29:7 1 Kings 7:30 1 Chronicles 12:20 22 Occurrences |