Part of Speech: Verb
Strong's Number: H8313
Original Word: sarap
Usage Notes: "to burn." A common Semitic term, this word is found in ancient Akkadian and Ugaritic, as well as throughout the history of the Hebrew language. It occurs in its verb form nearly 120 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Sarap is found first in Gen 11:3 in the Tower of Babel story: "Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly."
Since burning is the main characteristic of fire, the term sarap is usually used to describe the destroying of objects of all kinds. Thus, the door of a city tower was "burned" (Judg 9:52), as were various cities (Josh 6:24; 1Sa 30:1), chariots (Josh 11:6, 9), idols (Exod 32:20; Deut 9:21), and the scroll that Jeremiah had dictated to Baruch (Jer 36:25, 27-28). The Moabites' "burning" of the bones of the king of Edom (Amos 2:1) was a terrible outrage to all ancient Semites. The "burning" of men's bodies on the sacred altar was a great act of desecration (1Kings 13:2). Ezekiel "burned" a third of his hair as a symbol that part of the people of Judah would be destroyed (Ezek 5:4).
Interestingly, sarap is never used for the "burning" of a sacrifice on the altar, although a few times it designates the disposal of refuse, unused sacrificial parts, and some diseased parts. The "burning" of a red heifer was for the purpose of producing ashes for purification (Lev 19:5, 8).
Usage Number: 2
Part of Speech: Noun
Strong's Number: H8314
Original Word: sarap
Usage Notes: "burning one; fiery being." In Num 21:6, 8, the term sarap describes the serpents that attacked the Israelites in the wilderness. They are referred to as "fiery" serpents. A "fiery" flying serpent appears in Isa 14:29, as well as in Isa 30:6.
Usage Number: 3
Strong's Number: H8314
Original Word: sarap
Usage Notes: "burning, noble." Sarap refers to the ministering beings in Isa 6:2, 6, and may imply either a serpentine form (albeit with wings, human hands, and voices) or beings that have a "glowing" quality about them. One of the s(e)prim ministered to Isaiah by bringing a glowing coal from the altar.
