8333. sharsherah
Lexical Summary
sharsherah: Chain

Original Word: שַׁרְשְׁרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: sharahrah
Pronunciation: shar-sheh-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (shar-sher-aw')
KJV: chain
NASB: chains
Word Origin: [from H8327 (שָׁרַשׁ - taken root)]

1. a chain
2. (arch.) probably a garland

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 Origin
from 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 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).

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).
• Gold-overlaid paneling inside the main hall was engraved with “palm trees and chainwork” (2 Chronicles 3:5).
• Additional wreath-like chains encircled the capitals, supporting rows of pomegranates (2 Chronicles 3:16).

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.
2. Security in Representation: The breastpiece chains ensured that the tribes’ names never slipped from the high priest’s chest; likewise, believers are secure in Christ’s intercession (Romans 8:34).
3. Adornment of Truth: The decorative chainwork atop the pillars reminds worshipers that doctrinal strength should be clothed with beauty and grace (Colossians 4:6).
4. Fruit Supported by Structure: The pomegranates hung from chain-wreaths underscore that visible fruitfulness rests on unseen strength—sound doctrine and steadfast faith.

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 wəšaršərōwṯ
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: וְנָתַתָּ֛ה אֶת־ שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥ת הָעֲבֹתֹ֖ת עַל־
NAS: the corded chains on the filigree
KJV: the wreathen chains to the ouches.
INT: cordage shall put chains the corded on

Exodus 39:15
HEB: עַל־ הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
NAS: on the breastpiece chains like cords,
KJV: upon the breastplate chains at the ends,
INT: on the breastpiece chains of twisted work

1 Kings 7:17
HEB: גְּדִלִים֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת לַכֹּ֣תָרֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר
KJV: and wreaths of chain work,
INT: and twisted work of chain the capitals which

2 Chronicles 3:5
HEB: עָלָ֛יו תִּמֹרִ֖ים וְשַׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת׃
NAS: it with palm trees and chains.
KJV: and set thereon palm trees and chains.
INT: with palm and chains

2 Chronicles 3:16
HEB: וַיַּ֤עַשׂ שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת֙ בַּדְּבִ֔יר וַיִּתֵּ֖ן
NAS: He made chains in the inner sanctuary
KJV: And he made chains, [as] in the oracle,
INT: made chains the inner and placed

2 Chronicles 3:16
HEB: מֵאָ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן בַּֽשַּׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת׃
NAS: and placed [them] on the chains.
KJV: and put [them] on the chains.
INT: hundred and placed the chains

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8333
7 Occurrences


baš·šar·šə·rō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
šar·šə·rōṯ — 5 Occ.
wə·šar·šə·rō·wṯ — 1 Occ.

8332
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