Original Word: שָׂרַט
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sarat
Pronunciation: sah-RAHT
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-rat')
Definition: To cut, to make incisions, to scratch
Meaning: to gash

cut in pieces, make cuttings pieces

A primitive root; to gash -- cut in pieces, make (cuttings) pieces.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to incise, scratch
NASB Translation
make any cuts (1), severely injured (1).

[שָׂרַט] verb incise, scratch (Late Hebrew id., so Aramaic סְרַט Pa (ᵑ7 1 Samuel 21:14), , scratch, hence write (= χαράσσω); Assyrian šarâ‰u, slit up, rend; Arabic slit ear of camel, , sign, mark (RS^{K 214 f.}); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine plural with accusative of congnate meaning with verb וּבִבְשָׂרָם לֹא יִשְׂרְטוּ שָׂרָ֑טֶת Leviticus 21:5 shall make no incision; Infinitive absolute with

Niph`al Imperfect3masculine plural שָׂרוֺט יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ Zechariah 12:3 those loaded with the stone shall be severely scratched, lacerated.

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance that corresponds to the Hebrew שָׂרַט (sarat). However, the concept of self-harm or cutting in a ritualistic context can be related to practices mentioned in the New Testament, though not directly linked to a specific Greek term in Strong's.

Usage: The verb שָׂרַט (sarat) is used in the context of making incisions or gashes on the body, often as a form of mourning or ritualistic practice.

Context: The Hebrew verb שָׂרַט (sarat) appears in the Old Testament in contexts that describe the act of cutting or gashing oneself. This practice was often associated with mourning or pagan rituals, where individuals would inflict wounds upon themselves as an expression of grief or as part of idolatrous worship. The act of self-gashing was explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law, as seen in Leviticus 19:28, which states, "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This prohibition underscores the distinctiveness of Israelite worship and the rejection of pagan customs. In 1 Kings 18:28, the prophets of Baal are described as cutting themselves with swords and lances until blood gushed out, in a desperate attempt to invoke their god. This narrative highlights the futility of such practices and contrasts them with the worship of Yahweh, who does not require self-harm as a form of devotion.

יִשְׂרְט֖וּ יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ ישרטו שָׂר֣וֹט שרוט śā·rō·wṭ saRot śārōwṭ yiś·rə·ṭū yiś·śā·rê·ṭū yisreTu yiśrəṭū yissaRetu yiśśārêṭūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts