שָׂק sar "chief, commander, official". Used of both military (e.g.: Gen 21:22; 32; 1 Sam 12:9; 17:18, 55; 1 Kgs 15:20; 22:31) and civilian officers (e.g: Ex 18:21; 25; 1 Kgs 9:23; 22:26). Points to leadership (Num 21:18) rather than to a particular office, cf. Am 1:15 with 2:3.