5633. ceren
Lexical Summary
ceren: Lord, Ruler, Tyrant

Original Word: סֶרֶן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ceren
Pronunciation: seh'-ren
Phonetic Spelling: (seh'-ren)
KJV: lord, plate
Word Origin: [from an unused root of uncertain meaning]

1. an axle
2. (figuratively) a peer

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 ; √ unknown); — סַרְנֵי נְחשֶׁת 1 Kings 7:30 axles of brass (ᵐ5 τὰ προσέχοντα, ᵑ9 axes).

[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).
2. Incomplete obedience breeds enduring conflict. Israel’s failure to expel the Philistine lords in Joshua’s day becomes a multigenerational snare, illustrating the cost of compromise.
3. Spiritual warfare targets rulers and powers (Ephesians 6:12). The five lords personify organized opposition; believers are called to stand firm in Christ, who is “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21).
4. Faith’s victory may appear through weakness. Samson’s death and the ark’s captivity both seem defeat but culminate in victory, prefiguring the cross.
5. Ministry takes courage amid hostile authorities. Like David navigating Philistine favor and suspicion, shepherds today must walk wisely among unbelieving powers without losing allegiance to God.

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 wəsarnê
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וְכָל־
NAS: [These nations are]: the five lords of the Philistines
KJV: [Namely], five lords of the Philistines,
INT: the five lords of the Philistines and all

Judges 16:5
HEB: וַיַּעֲל֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יהָ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וַיֹּ֨אמְרוּ
NAS: The lords of the Philistines came
KJV: And the lords of the Philistines
INT: came about the lords of the Philistines to her and said

Judges 16:8
HEB: וַיַּעֲלוּ־ לָ֞הּ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים שִׁבְעָ֛ה
NAS: Then the lords of the Philistines
KJV: Then the lords of the Philistines
INT: brought the lords of the Philistines to her seven

Judges 16:18
HEB: וַתִּשְׁלַ֡ח וַתִּקְרָא֩ לְסַרְנֵ֨י פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים לֵאמֹר֙
NAS: and called the lords of the Philistines,
KJV: and called for the lords of the Philistines,
INT: sent and called the lords of the Philistines saying

Judges 16:18
HEB: וְעָל֤וּ אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיַּעֲל֥וּ
NAS: [that is] in his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines
KJV: me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines
INT: came then the lords of the Philistines to her and brought

Judges 16:23
HEB: וְסַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים נֶֽאֱסְפוּ֙
NAS: Now the lords of the Philistines
KJV: Then the lords of the Philistines
INT: now the lords of the Philistines assembled

Judges 16:27
HEB: וְשָׁ֕מָּה כֹּ֖ל סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וְעַל־
NAS: and all the lords of the Philistines
KJV: and women; and all the lords of the Philistines
INT: in it and all the lords of the Philistines were on

Judges 16:30
HEB: הַבַּ֙יִת֙ עַל־ הַסְּרָנִ֔ים וְעַל־ כָּל־
NAS: fell on the lords and all
KJV: fell upon the lords, and upon all the people
INT: the house on the lords and and all

1 Samuel 5:8
HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ סַרְנֵ֨י פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
NAS: all the lords of the Philistines
KJV: therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines
INT: and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to

1 Samuel 5:11
HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
NAS: all the lords of the Philistines
KJV: and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines,
INT: and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said

1 Samuel 6:4
HEB: וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ מִסְפַּר֙ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים חֲמִשָּׁה֙
NAS: [according to] the number of the lords of the Philistines,
KJV: [according to] the number of the lords of the Philistines:
INT: said the number of the lords of the Philistines Five

1 Samuel 6:4
HEB: אַחַ֛ת לְכֻלָּ֖ם וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶֽם׃
NAS: was on all of you and on your lords.
KJV: plague [was] on you all, and on your lords.
INT: one all your lords

1 Samuel 6:12
HEB: יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול וְסַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ הֹלְכִ֣ים
NAS: or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines
KJV: or [to] the left; and the lords of the Philistines
INT: to the right to the left and the lords of the Philistines went

1 Samuel 6:16
HEB: וַחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה סַרְנֵֽי־ פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים רָא֑וּ
NAS: When the five lords of the Philistines
KJV: And when the five lords of the Philistines
INT: the five lords of the Philistines saw

1 Samuel 6:18
HEB: פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ לַחֲמֵ֣שֶׁת הַסְּרָנִ֔ים מֵעִ֣יר מִבְצָ֔ר
NAS: belonging to the five lords, both
KJV: [belonging] to the five lords, [both] of fenced
INT: of the Philistines to the five lords cities of fortified

1 Samuel 7:7
HEB: הַמִּצְפָּ֔תָה וַיַּעֲל֥וּ סַרְנֵֽי־ פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים אֶל־
NAS: to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines
KJV: to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines
INT: to Mizpah went the lords of the Philistines against

1 Samuel 29:2
HEB: וְסַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ עֹֽבְרִ֔ים
NAS: And the lords of the Philistines
KJV: And the lords of the Philistines
INT: and the lords of the Philistines were proceeding

1 Samuel 29:6
HEB: הַזֶּ֑ה וּבְעֵינֵ֥י הַסְּרָנִ֖ים לֹֽא־ ט֥וֹב
NAS: in the sight of the lords.
KJV: unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour
INT: to this the sight of the lords are not pleasing

1 Samuel 29:7
HEB: רָ֔ע בְּעֵינֵ֖י סַרְנֵ֥י פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ ס
NAS: that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.
KJV: that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
INT: adversity affliction the lords of the Philistines

1 Kings 7:30
HEB: לַמְּכוֹנָ֤ה הָֽאַחַת֙ וְסַרְנֵ֣י נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה
NAS: with bronze axles, and its four
KJV: wheels, and plates of brass:
INT: stand now each axles bronze four

1 Chronicles 12:20
HEB: בְעֵצָ֗ה שִׁלְּחֻ֜הוּ סַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר
INT: advice forsake lord Philistine answer

22 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5633
22 Occurrences


has·sə·rā·nîm — 3 Occ.
lə·sar·nê — 1 Occ.
sar·nê — 13 Occ.
ū·lə·sar·nê·ḵem — 1 Occ.
wə·sar·nê — 4 Occ.

5632
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