lord
se.ren denotes leaders, chiefly the Philistine lords who act together in political and military decisions.
The word most often identifies the Philistine leaders as a recognized group: they assemble over the ark, direct action against Samson, observe events, and appear in territorial and military settings. In 1 Chronicles 12:20, the same plural construct form occurs in a list rendered as heads of Manasseh’s thousands, showing a broader use for leading figures.
Senses in use
-
Philistine leaders acting as a group · dominant
The plural forms repeatedly occur in construct with the Philistines and identify a body of leaders who make decisions and undertake public action. In Judges 16:5 the APB renders the clause "The lords of the Philistines came up to her" as they commission Delilah; in 1 Samuel 5:8 it renders their gathering to decide what to do with the ark, and in 1 Samuel 29:2 they pass by in military ranks.
-
Heads of Manasseh's thousands · rare
In 1 Chronicles 12:20, the plural construct form stands in a list of named men from Manasseh. The APB renders them as "heads of the thousands which belonged to Manasseh," placing the term in a leadership designation outside the Philistine clauses.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the Philistine clauses, the APB regularly presents the term as "lords," including leaders who gather, speak, pursue, and are present at Samson’s death. In 1 Chronicles 12:20 it instead renders the listed men as "heads".