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חֲסַף

𐤇𐤎𐤐

chăçaph

H2635 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חסף to scrape, to peel, to separate (in Aramaic usage: earth, clod, lump)

Definition

A lump or clod of earth; specifically, a portion of clay or soil, often referring to the raw or unrefined substance used for construction or pottery. The term denotes an earthen mass as a discrete unit, especially in contexts describing the materials of the earth or objects molded from earth.

Semantic Range

clod of earth, lump of clay, piece of raw clay, earthen mass

Root / Etymology

Root: חסף. The term derives from the Aramaic root חסף, which parallels the Hebrew root חפף, conveying the sense of scraping, peeling, or separating. In Aramaic, חסף developed to mean clod, lump, or unworked earthen material. It is not related to standard Hebrew terms for 'clay' such as חֹמֶר (ḥomer), but shares parallels with Northwest Semitic terms for lumped or separated soil.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲסַף appears in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel 2:33, 2:34, 2:35, 2:41, 2:42, 2:43, 2:45) as a term for 'clay,' especially in the imagery of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The emphasis is on clay as a natural, undifferentiated substance, as opposed to finished pottery. The word is distinct from Hebrew חֹמֶר (ḥomer), which is typically used for clay in Hebrew contexts and refers more specifically to material for pottery-making. In Biblical Aramaic, חֲסַף denotes a basic or primordial clay, not a refined or processed product. Later translations (including KJV and others) render the term as 'clay,' but do not always capture its nuance of unworked earthen lump. The meaning remained stable across exilic and post-exilic usage due to its limited appearance in Aramaic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to that of חַסְפַּס; a clod; clay.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חסף (ḥ-s-p̄) — scraping, peeling, separating; clod, lump of earth

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2635-03 חַסְפָּ֨/א chasepa ANcmsd/Td the earthen clod 3
H2635-02 חֲסַֽף chasaf ANcmsa earthen clod 3
H2635-01 בַּ/חֲסַ֥ף bachasaf AR/Ncmsc clod of earth 2
H2635-04 וְ/חַסְפָּ֑/א vechasepa AC/Ncmsd/Td the earthen lump 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2635-02 Daniel 2:33 חֲסַֽף chasaf ANcmsa earthen clod
H2635-04 Daniel 2:34 וְ/חַסְפָּ֑/א vechasepa AC/Ncmsd/Td the earthen lump
H2635-03 Daniel 2:35 חַסְפָּ֨/א chasepa ANcmsd/Td the earthen clod
H2635-02 Daniel 2:41 חֲסַ֤ף chasaf ANcmsa earthen clod
H2635-01 Daniel 2:41 בַּ/חֲסַ֥ף bachasaf AR/Ncmsc clod of earth
H2635-02 Daniel 2:42 חֲסַ֑ף chasaf ANcmsa earthen clod
H2635-01 Daniel 2:43 בַּ/חֲסַ֣ף bachasaf AR/Ncmsc clod of earth
H2635-03 Daniel 2:43 חַסְפָּֽ/א chasepa ANcmsd/Td the earthen clod
H2635-03 Daniel 2:45 חַסְפָּ/א֙ chasepa ANcmsd/Td the earthen clod
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