לְ/זֶ֖פֶת

𐤋/𐤆𐤐𐤕

lezefet-2

pitch

from an unused root (meaning to liquify); asphalt (from its tendency to soften in the sun); pitch.

H2203

Isaiah 34:9 · Word #8

Lexicon H2203

Lemmaזֶפֶת
Lemma (Paleo)𐤆𐤐𐤕
Transliterationzepheth
Strong'sH2203
In-contextpitch

Morphology HR/Ncfsa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender f — Feminine — Feminine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

SIBI-P1 H2203-01

into liquefying pitch

Rootזפת (z-p-t)
Core Meaningsto liquefy, to soften, to flow, bituminous substance
Semantic Rangeasphalt, bitumen, tar, pitch; a naturally occurring or processed substance used for coating, sealing, or waterproofing
Conceptual Significanceזֶפֶת appears in contexts of construction and preservation (e.g., coating vessels or structures), symbolizing both practical protection and, in some settings, associations with judgment or destruction where bitumen is abundant.
Morphological NotesPreposition לְ ("to/into") prefixed to a common feminine singular absolute noun (Ncfsa). No article; singular form.
Rendering RationaleThe noun זֶפֶת derives from a root meaning "to liquefy" or "to soften," referring to bitumen that melts in heat. The rendering "liquefying pitch" preserves this root sense of softening material, while "into" reflects the prefixed לְ preposition. The form is feminine singular absolute, which is maintained in the singular English noun "pitch."

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Word Usage (3 occurrences of H2203)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Exodus 2:3 וּ/בַ/זָּ֑פֶת uvazafet and with pitch
Isaiah 34:9 לְ/זֶ֔פֶת lezefet into pitch
Isaiah 34:9 לְ/זֶ֖פֶת lezefet-2 pitch