הַ/צֹּפֶה֙
𐤄/𐤑𐤐𐤄
hatsofeh
the watchman
a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man).
2 Samuel 13:34 · Word #5
Lexicon H6822
| Lemma | צָפָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤑𐤐𐤄 |
| Transliteration | tsâphâh |
| Strong's | H6822 |
| In-context | the watchman |
Morphology HTd/Vqrmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state |
| Binyan | q — Qal — Simple active |
| Conjugation | r — Participle Active — The one doing the action |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
SIBI-P1 H6822-03
the one-who-keeps-watch
| Root | צפה (ts-p-h) |
| Core Meanings | to lean forward, to peer, to look out, to watch, to observe, to await |
| Semantic Range | watchman, lookout, guard, observer, one who awaits or keeps vigil, prophetic sentinel |
| Conceptual Significance | In biblical literature, the צֹפֶה is both a literal sentinel on walls and a metaphorical guardian—especially a prophet charged with spiritually watching over the people. The term conveys vigilance, responsibility, and accountability before God for what is seen and reported. |
| Morphological Notes | Qal active participle, masculine singular absolute, with prefixed definite article (הַ). Functions substantivally: "the one who is watching." |
| Rendering Rationale | The form is a Qal active participle masculine singular with the definite article, literally "the watching one." Rendering it as "the one-who-keeps-watch" preserves the active, ongoing sense of the participle and reflects the masculine singular form while retaining the root idea of attentive, forward-looking observation. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root צפה (to lean forward, to peer, to look out, to watch, to observe, to await)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H6822-01 |
atsapeh | I will keenly keep watch |
H4709-01 |
bamitsepah | in the Watchtower (Mizpah) |
H6836-01 |
betsipiyatenu | in our watchfulness |
Word Usage (37 occurrences of H6822)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 31:49 | יִ֥צֶף | yitsef | watch |
| 1 Samuel 4:13 | מְצַפֶּ֔ה | metsapeh | watching |
| 1 Samuel 14:16 | הַ/צֹּפִים֙ | hatsofim | the watchmen |