Σάρεπτα
Sárepta
G4558 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to the town of Sarepta, a small coastal settlement located between Sidon and Tyre. In biblical contexts, it specifically designates the town to which the prophet Elijah was sent during a famine. The term functions as a geographic place name rather than a common noun.
Semantic Range
Sarepta (the Phoenician town near Sidon), the place to which Elijah was sent, geographic proper noun only
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from the Hebrew צָרְפַת (Tsarphath), itself possibly related to a root meaning 'to smelt' or 'refine' (cf. צָרַף). The Greek Σάρεπτα is a direct transliteration of the Semitic place name. The original meaning of the toponym is likely connected to an association with metalworking or smelting but is preserved in Greek solely as a proper noun for the locality.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σάρεπτα appears exclusively as a proper noun in the Greek Bible (Septuagint in 1 Kings 17:9, 17:10; Luke 4:26), always in reference to the Phoenician town north of ancient Israelite territory. This settlement is identified archaeologically with modern Sarafand in southern Lebanon. Sarepta is notable in the biblical narrative as the home of the widow whom Elijah assisted. The term is not used in a general sense but always for the specific location. English Bible tradition typically retains the transliterated form 'Sarepta' or adopts the Hebrew-based 'Zarephath'; however, these do not constitute alternate meanings but different transliteration traditions. The Greek itself does not assign the term any meaning beyond its place-name function. There is no indication in Koine or classical Greek literature of the word being used with any metaphorical or extended meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (צָרְפַת); Sarepta (i.e. Tsarephath), a place in Palestine:--Sarepta.
Root Family
Σαρεπτ- (Sárepta) — name of a Phoenician town, Sarepta
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4558-01 |
Σάρεπτα | sarepta | N ACC N PL |
Sarepta | Sarepta | Sarepta | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4558-01 |
Luke 4:26 | Σάρεπτα | sarepta | N ACC N PL |
Sarepta | Sarepta | Sarepta |