Original Word: שְׂעִירָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: S`iyrah
Pronunciation: seh-ee-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (seh-ee-raw')
KJV: Seirath
NASB: Seirah
Word Origin: [formed as H8166 (שְׂעִירָה - goat)]

1. roughness
2. Seirah, a place in Israel

Seirath

Formed as s'iyrah; roughness; Seirah, a place in Palestine -- Seirath.

see HEBREW s'iyrah

Word Origin
from the same as sear
Definition
"goat," a city in Ephraim
NASB Translation
Seirah (1).

II. [שְׂעִירָה] proper name, of a location, probably in southeast Ephraim (= goat, Thes); — with ה locative הַשְּׂעִי֫רָתָה Judges 3:26; Σε(Τ)ειρωθα, ᵐ5^L Σηρωθα.

Seirah

Biblical Occurrence

• Judges 3:26 – “Ehud escaped while they delayed and passed beyond the idols and fled to Seirah.”

Geographical Setting

Seirah is mentioned only once, yet its location can be triangulated from the narrative. Ehud departs from Jericho (“the City of Palms,” Judges 3:13) and passes the carved images by Gilgal before reaching Seirah, from which he immediately blows the trumpet in “the hill country of Ephraim” (Judges 3:27). The sequence suggests a site in, or on the verge of, the central highlands of Ephraim, overlooking the Jordan Rift Valley. The root of the name implies rough, forested or hilly terrain, matching the topography that afforded Ehud concealment and rapid ascent.

Historical Context

In the early Judges period Israel was subject to Moabite oppression under King Eglon (Judges 3:12-14). Ehud, the left-handed Benjamite, assassinates Eglon and then escapes. Seirah serves as the pivot between covert action and open revolt. From Jericho’s lowlands to Ephraim’s uplands, Ehud’s flight traces Israel’s transition from subjugation to victory.

Strategic Importance in the Narrative

1. Safe Haven – The dense, elevated terrain likely provided immediate cover from Moabite pursuers.
2. Rally Point – Seirah’s proximity to populated Ephraimite settlements enabled Ehud to summon Israel (“he blew the trumpet,” Judges 3:27) without delay.
3. Psychological Pivot – Seirah marks the shift from individual deliverance to national uprising; fear is replaced by faith-filled initiative.

Theological Significance

• Instrument of Divine Deliverance: Seirah underscores the pattern in Judges where God raises unexpected places and people to accomplish His purposes (cf. Judges 6:11 at Ophrah; Judges 13:25 at Mahaneh-dan).
• Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Israel’s repeated relapse into idolatry (Judges 3:7), the Lord remembers His covenant, using Seirah as a staging ground for liberation.
• Moral Lesson: The brief mention of Seirah shows that even obscure locations become significant when aligned with God’s redemptive plan. Believers today learn that no place or circumstance is too small for divine purpose.

Applications for Ministry

1. Strategic Preparation – Leaders may need a “Seirah” moment: a hidden place to pray, plan, and then act under God’s timing.
2. Courage under Pressure – Ehud’s calculated retreat models wisdom; courage is not reckless exposure but Spirit-directed boldness (see Proverbs 22:3).
3. Mobilizing Community – The call from Seirah moved Israelites from passivity to participation. Modern ministry likewise calls God’s people from complacency to engagement in His mission.

Related References

• Judges 3:12-30 – Full narrative of Ehud.
• Deuteronomy 20:1-4 – Assurance of divine help in battle.
• Psalm 18:33 – “He makes my feet like those of a deer; He stations me upon the heights.” Suitable imagery for Seirah’s elevation.
• Hebrews 11:34 – Saints “escaped the edge of the sword,” echoing Ehud’s escape.

See Also

• Gilgal – Site of covenant remembrance and the “idols” Ehud passed.
• Hill Country of Ephraim – Frequent refuge for judges and prophets (1 Samuel 1:1).
• Mount Seir – Though etymologically similar, geographically distinct; highlights the thematic link of rugged terrain in God’s deliverances.

הַשְּׂעִירָֽתָה׃ השעירתה׃ haś·śə·‘î·rā·ṯāh haśśə‘îrāṯāh hasseiRatahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts