H7892b H7892b
Song, ode, liturgical composition — a formal poetic piece sung in praise, celebration, or commemoration of divine acts
The feminine noun שִׁירָה (shirah) denotes a song or ode — a composed, formal poetic piece performed in communal worship or national celebration. Its most famous instance is the Song of the Sea: 'Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD' (Exod 15:1). The Song of the Well uses the same formula (Num 21:17). Deuteronomy applies it to Moses' testament-song, commanded as a witness against Israel (Deut 31:19, 21-22, 30). In Judges 5:12, Deborah is summoned to 'utter a song.' These usages frame שִׁירָה as a composed literary work with liturgical and memorial function. Spanish 'cántico' and French 'cantique' capture the formal register.
Senses
1. Song, singing — A formal poetic composition or ode, typically sung in communal worship or national celebration to commemorate God's saving acts. The Song of the Sea (Exod 15:1) and the Song of the Well (Num 21:17) are paradigmatic examples. Moses' testament-song in Deuteronomy 31-32 is commanded by God as a witness against Israel (Deut 31:19, 21-22, 30; 32:44). Deborah's victory song is introduced with the term (Judg 5:12). Isaiah 5:1 uses it for a parabolic 'song of the vineyard.' The word consistently implies a composed, rehearsed literary work rather than spontaneous singing. Spanish 'cántico' and English 'ode/song' both convey the formal, commemorative quality. 12×
AR["أُغنِيَةَ", "الأُنْشُودَةَ", "النَّشِيدَةَ", "الْأُنْشُودَةَ", "الْأُنْشُودَةُ", "الْأُنْشُودَةِ", "كَأُغْنِيَةِ"]·ben["এই-গান", "এই-গানের", "এই-গানের-", "গান", "গানের-মত", "গীত", "গীতের"]·DE["[כשירת]", "[שירת]", "der-Lied", "der-song"]·EN["like-song-of", "song-of", "the-song"]·FR["[כשירת]", "[שירת]", "le-chant", "le-song"]·heb["ה-שירה", "ה-שירה-", "כ-שירת", "שירת"]·HI["इस-गीत-के", "गीत", "गीत-की-तरह", "गीत-के", "गीत-के-"]·ID["-nyanyian", "nyanyian", "nyanyian-", "seperti-nyanyian"]·IT["[כשירת]", "[שירת]", "canto", "il-canto", "il-song"]·jav["kados-tembang", "kidung", "sekar"]·KO["그-노래", "그-노래(접)", "그-노래-", "그-노래-를", "그-노래가", "그-노래를", "노래-같으니", "노래-의", "노래를"]·PT["canção-de", "como-canção-de", "deste-cântico", "o-cântico"]·RU["как-песня", "песни", "песни-", "песнь", "песню"]·ES["canción-de", "como-canto-de", "el-cántico"]·SW["kama-wimbo", "wimbo", "wimbo-wa"]·TR["-şarkının", "sarkisi-gibi", "sarkisini", "şarkı", "şarkının", "şarkının-", "şarkıyı"]·urd["-گیت", "گیت", "گیت-کی", "گیت-کی-", "گیت-کی-طرح", "گیت-کے"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† שִׁירָה n.f. song (pl. [שׁ]ירות Ecclus 39:15);—abs. שׁ׳ Ex 15:1 + 9 times; cstr. שִׁירַת Is 5:1; 23:15; pl. cstr. שִׁירוֹת Am 8:3 (read שָׁרוֹת 𝔊 HoffmZAW iii (1883) We al.);—song, ode, Ex 15:1 (E), 2 S 22:1 = ψ 18:1, Dt 31:19(×2), 21, 22, 30; 32:44; Nu 21:17 (E) Is 5:1; 23:15.