Original Word: שֵׂעָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: se`ar
Pronunciation: seh-ahr'
Phonetic Spelling: (say-awr')
KJV: hair(-y), X rough
NASB: hair, hairy, hairs
Word Origin: [from H8175 (שָׂעַר - To storm) in the sense of dishevelling]

1. hair (as if tossed or bristling)

hairy, rough

Or sa.ar (Isaiah 7:20) {sah'-ar}; from sa'ar in the sense of dishevelling; hair (as if tossed or bristling) -- hair(-y), X rough.

see HEBREW sa'ar

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
hair
NASB Translation
hair (23), hairs (1), hairy (4).

שֵׂעָר₂₇ noun masculine^{Leviticus 13:3} hair; — absolute ׳שׂ Genesis 25:25 +, construct שְׂעַר Judges 16:22 +, שַׂ֫עַר Isaiah 7:20 (Ges^{§ 93hh} Kö^{ii. 1. 78}); suffix שְׂעָרֵךְ Ezekiel 16:7, שַׂעֲרֵךְ Songs 4:1; Songs 6:5 (Kö^l.c.); שְׂעָרוֺ Leviticus 14:8 +, שְׂעָרָהּ Leviticus 14:20, שְׂעָרָהֿ Leviticus 14:4 (Ges^{§ 91e}); — hair:

1 of animals, as material, ׳אַדֶּרֶת שׂ Genesis 25:5 (J), Zechariah 13:4; probably also ׳אִישׁ בַּעַל שׂ 2 Kings 1:8 i.e. a man with a garment of skin.

2 human: ראֹשׁוֺ ׳שׂ Judges 16:22; 2 Samuel 14:26; Numbers 6:5 (P), compare Numbers 6:18 (P); + beard Ezra 9:3; ׳קָדְקֹד שׂ Psalm 68:22; including head, beard, eyebrows Leviticus 14:8,9,10 (P); הָרַגְלַיִם ׳שׂ Isaiah 7:20 (i.e. of Genitals; + ראֹשׁ, זָקָן; in figure) long hair of woman Ezekiel 16:7; Songs 4:1; Songs 6:5; hair of skin in (leprosy-)marks Leviticus 13:3 10t. 13 (P).

Physical characteristic and personal identity

שֵׂעָר describes the visible covering that immediately distinguishes individuals. Esau’s birth “covered with hair like a fur coat” (Genesis 25:25) explains both his name and, later, Jacob’s need to mimic that hairiness to secure Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 27:11; 27:23). Being “a hairy man” identified Elijah to Ahaziah’s messengers (2 Kings 1:8). Scripture thus treats hair as an unmistakable marker of identity and recognition.

Ritual purity and diagnosis of disease

In the skin-disease legislation of Leviticus 13–14, the priest repeatedly examines the color, length, and condition of hair in an infection to determine cleanness or uncleanness (for example, Leviticus 13:3–4; 13:30–36; 14:9). The text intertwines physical observation with theological reality: defilement bars worship, while cleansing restores fellowship. The prominence of שֵׂעָר underlines how even seemingly insignificant details fall under God’s holy scrutiny.

Consecration vows and divine ownership

Under the Nazirite vow the growing strand becomes “the hair of his dedication” (Numbers 6:5; 6:18). It testifies that the whole person belongs to the Lord for a stated time. When the vow ends, the hair is shaved and placed on the altar fire, dramatizing complete surrender. In Jeremiah 7:29 Judah is urged, “Cut off your hair and throw it away,” a physical repudiation of supposed devotion now proven false. Thus shorn or unshorn locks may both speak of consecration, depending on obedience.

Strength, humiliation, and restoration

Samson’s seven locks are the best-known instance where physical hair mirrors spiritual endowment. While the vow remained intact, “his strength left him” only after Delilah “shaved off the seven braids of his head” (Judges 16:19). Yet “the hair of his head began to grow back” (Judges 16:22), foreshadowing renewed strength and final victory. The narrative warns against casual treatment of divine gifts while offering hope that repentance can revive what was lost.

Mourning, humility, and social transition

Shaving the head accompanies deep grief (Job 1:20; although Job uses a synonym, the imagery parallels). Deuteronomy 21:12 requires an Israelite warrior who takes a foreign bride to allow her to “shave her head” during a month of sorrowful transition. The removal of hair signals vulnerability before God and man, stripping away former glory so that new life may begin under covenant oversight.

Divine protection and exhaustive knowledge

Oaths such as “Not a hair of his head will fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52) certify inviolable safety granted by the Lord. The idea culminates when Jesus assures, “even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). What Leviticus teaches negatively—that God discerns the smallest defect—becomes a positive promise of meticulous care.

Poetic beauty and marital affection

Wisdom and lyric sections employ שֵׂעָר for aesthetic celebration. The bride of Song of Solomon radiates allure: “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead” (Song of Solomon 4:1; 6:5). Psalms invokes enormity: “Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head” (Psalms 69:4). Such metaphors depend on hair’s observable abundance, movement, and vitality to convey either loveliness or overwhelming quantity.

Prophetic symbolism and eschatological judgment

Isaiah warns that God will “shave your head and the hair of your legs” by the instrument of Assyria (Isaiah 7:20), picturing national humiliation and captivity. Daniel’s vision of the Ancient of Days finds comfort in the opposite image: “the hair of His head was like pure wool” (Daniel 7:9), a manifestation of eternal purity and authority. Hair imagery thereby bridges immediate historical judgment with ultimate divine sovereignty.

Ministry reflections

1. Holiness disciplines the smallest detail; nothing in personal appearance lies outside discipleship.
2. Outward symbols (long Nazirite hair, shaved mourning hair) must coincide with inward truth; otherwise they become empty ritual.
3. God both numbers and, when necessary, removes hair—signifying perfect knowledge and sovereign correction.
4. The Samson cycle encourages shepherds to warn that persistent compromise can shear away spiritual power, while urging penitents that God can make “the hair…begin to grow” again.
5. Pastoral care should hold together ceremonial purity (Leviticus), corporate promise (oath formulas), and intimate affection (Song of Solomon), showing believers that every strand of life belongs to the Redeemer who knows, guards, purifies, and adorns His people.

וְשֵׂעָ֥ר וְשֵׂעָ֨ר וְשַׂ֣עַר וּשְׂעָרֵ֣ךְ וּשְׂעָרָ֖ה וּשְׂעָרָ֖הּ ושער ושערה ושערך לַשֵּׂעָ֥ר לשער מִשְּׂעַ֤ר משער שְׂעַ֣ר שְׂעַ֥ר שְׂעַר֙ שְׂעַר־ שְׂעָר֖וֹ שְׂעָר֗וֹ שֵׂעָ֑ר שֵׂעָ֔ר שֵׂעָ֖ר שֵׂעָ֣ר שֵׂעָ֥ר שֵׂעָ֨ר שַׂעְרֵךְ֙ שער שער־ שערו שערך laś·śê·‘ār laśśê‘ār lasseAr miś·śə·‘ar miśśə‘ar misseAr śa‘·rêḵ śa‘rêḵ sareCh śê‘ār śə‘ar śə‘ar- śə‘ārōw śə·‘ā·rōw śê·‘ār śə·‘ar śə·‘ar- seAr seaRo ū·śə·‘ā·rāh ū·śə·‘ā·rêḵ ūśə‘ārāh ūśə‘ārêḵ useaRah useaRech veSaar veseAr wə·śa·‘ar wə·śê·‘ār wəśa‘ar wəśê‘ārInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts