Lexical Summary sharsherah: Chain Original Word: שַׁרְשְׁרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chain From sharash (compare sharshah); a chain; (arch.) Probably a garland -- chain. see HEBREW sharash see HEBREW sharshah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shor Definition chain NASB Translation chains (7), chainwork* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שַׁרְשְׁרָה] noun feminine (in spite of following suffix masculine Exodus 28:14, Ges§ 135o AlbrZAW xv (1895), 316, xvi (1896), 96) chain (Assyrian šaršarratu, chain, fetter; Mishna שַׁרְשָׁרוֺת, Talmud שַׁרְשׁוּרָא, Syriac  , chain or rope of palm-leaves, etc., but also Late Hebrew שַׁלְשֶׁלֶת chain, ᵑ7 שֵׁישְׁלָא, Syriac  [whence Arabic  , see Ethiopic  ], (connection with ׳שַׁר denied by NöB88W 56 Anm. 9)); — plural שַׁרְשְׁרוֺת, absolute 1 Kings 7:17 +, רֹת- absolute 2 Chronicles 3:15, construct Exodus 28:14 +, שַׁרְשֹׁת Exodus 28:22 (either abbreviated or textual error); — chains of gold, like wreaths, attached to ephod Exodus 28:14 (twice in verse); Exodus 28:22; Exodus 39:15; ornaments on pillars at porch of temple 1 Kings 7:17 (׳גְּדִלִים מַעֲשֵׂה שׁ), "" 2 Chronicles 3:15,16 (twice in verse). שׁרשׁ (apparently √ of following; DiJob 40:16 Buhl and others think = שׁרשׁר, √ שׁרר, compare שֹׁר, etc., Ethiopic Topical Lexicon Scope and Setting The term denotes ornamental chainwork fashioned from precious metal and appears exclusively in passages describing the high-priestly garments of the wilderness tabernacle and the architectural adornments of Solomon’s Temple. Tabernacle Usage: Securing the Breastpiece Exodus 28:14 and Exodus 39:15 situate the chains on the ephod of Aaron. “Fashion two braided chains of pure gold, like cords, and attach the corded chains to the settings” (Exodus 28:14). These braided links served a practical purpose—anchoring the memorial stones that bore the names of Israel’s tribes over the high priest’s heart—yet their beauty signified the honor of approaching the Holy One on behalf of the people. The intertwining strands portray unity: each tribe distinct, yet inseparably linked in covenant representation. The chains also highlight the necessary mediation between holy God and sinful humanity, a theme fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14 – 16). Temple Usage: Ornamenting Strength with Beauty In Solomon’s Temple the same craftsmanship embellishes both interior and exterior features: • The twin bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, carried “a network of interwoven chains” crowning each capital (1 Kings 7:17). Here the chainwork accentuates stability (pillars) and fruitfulness (pomegranates), marrying strength to grace. The imagery anticipates the Church as “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15) while bearing abiding fruit (John 15:8). Craftsmanship and Covenant Excellence Whether woven in fabric or cast in bronze, the chains required skilled artisans “filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship” (cf. Exodus 31:3). Their handiwork demonstrates that excellence in artistic vocation honors the Lord and supports corporate worship. The material—pure gold—expresses the covenant’s inestimable worth and the sanctity of the priestly and royal ministries it served. Theological and Devotional Insights 1. Connection and Continuity: Each link depends on the others, illustrating corporate solidarity among God’s people and the unbroken continuity of redemptive history. Practical Ministry Application – Encourage artisans and craftsmen in the local church to pursue skillful excellence, seeing their work as integral to worship. – Guard unity: as the golden chains linked the breastpiece to the ephod, so congregational bonds must remain intact through love and sound teaching (Ephesians 4:3 – 16). – Marry strength and beauty in ministry: uphold truth firmly while presenting it attractively, reflecting the balance observed in Solomon’s pillars. Summary This chainwork, though mentioned only seven times, ties together themes of mediation, unity, strength, beauty, and fruitfulness. From the wilderness tabernacle to the splendor of the Temple, the Spirit-inspired craftsmanship points ultimately to the flawless ministry of Christ and calls His people to embody the same woven harmony of devotion and excellence. Forms and Transliterations בַּֽשַּׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת׃ בשרשרות׃ וְשַׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת׃ ושרשרות׃ שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥ת שַׁרְשְׁרֹת֙ שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת֙ שרשרות שרשרת baš·šar·šə·rō·wṯ BashsharsheRot baššaršərōwṯ šar·šə·rō·wṯ šar·šə·rōṯ šaršərōṯ šaršərōwṯ sharsheRot vesharsheRot wə·šar·šə·rō·wṯ wəšaršərōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 28:14 HEB: וּשְׁתֵּ֤י שַׁרְשְׁרֹת֙ זָהָ֣ב טָה֔וֹר NAS: and two chains of pure gold; KJV: And two chains [of] pure gold INT: and two chains gold of pure Exodus 28:14 Exodus 39:15 1 Kings 7:17 2 Chronicles 3:5 2 Chronicles 3:16 2 Chronicles 3:16 7 Occurrences |
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nerve, muscle, whence שֹׁרֶשׁ as root-fibre, but word very ancient, and this der,quite unproven; SchwZMG iii (1898), 140 f. compare Arabic 
(
by dissimilation), thorn-bush, 
hard, rough, rugged (of ground), 
ill-natured, cross; hence שֹׁרֶשׁ, from tough, gnarled root-fibres; Late Hebrew and Phoenician שרש, Assyrian šuršu, all root, Sabean שרס (see Arabic above) root, foundation HomChr 124, אשרס foundation DHMAMG xxix (1875), 606; xxxvii (1883), 415; Aramaic שׁוֺרְשָׁא, 
root).