לַפִּיד
𐤋𐤐𐤉𐤃
lappîyd
H3940 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Torch, a portable source of light produced by burning material, most commonly a bundle of sticks or rags soaked in oil or pitch. Also used to denote a burning brand or flame, and metaphorically to describe the appearance of phenomena like lightning or flashes of fire. In certain contexts, may describe processional lights, ritual firebrands, or symbolic lights within narratives.
Semantic Range
torch, firebrand, burning stick, flame, lightning, flashing fire, processional light, symbol of divine presence
Root / Etymology
From the root לפד (l-p-d), meaning uncertain and unattested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew; commonly connected with the idea of shining, burning, or kindling, though no verbal root is directly attested. The form לַפִּיד is a noun referring specifically to an implement or manifestation of fire or light.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical corpus, לַפִּיד designates physical torches used in military, ritual, and everyday contexts (Judges 7:16, Nahum 2:5), as well as metaphorical or symbolic fire and light phenomena (e.g., lightning or the appearance of divine presence, Genesis 15:17). Sometimes used in the imagery of divine action or judgment (e.g., Isaiah 62:1, 'her salvation like a torch that burns'). Not interchangeable with נֵר (nēr), which typically denotes a small oil lamp, more associated with domestic or cultic settings. The distinction is that לַפִּיד is for portable, open flames, typically carried in the open or in processions, while נֵר is usually for an enclosed or covered component. English translations (e.g., 'lamp', 'torch', 'flame') may not fully capture the sense of a burning implement designed for outdoor or processional use. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term continues to denote a torch, often in ceremonial contexts. No significant religious identity or ethnonym is attached to this term; its use is primarily physical and descriptive rather than confessional or communal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or לַפִּד; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame; (fire-) brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לפד (l-p-d) — shine, burn, flash
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3941 | לַפִּידוֹת | Torches |
Word Forms
10 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3940-06 |
לַפִּ֥יד | lapid | HNcmsa |
for a lamp | burning torch | 2 |
H3940-07 |
לַפִּדִ֗ים | lapidim | HNcmpa |
torches | burning torches | 2 |
H3940-01 |
בַּ/לַּפִּדִ֔ים | balapidim | HRd/Ncmpa |
the torches | in the torches | 2 |
H3940-02 |
הַ/לַּפִּידִ֗ם | halapidim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of-the-torches | the torches | 2 |
H3940-09 |
וְ/לַפִּ֣יד | velapid | HC/Ncmsc |
and a torch | torch of | 1 |
H3940-04 |
כְּ/לַפִּ֥יד | kelapid | HR/Ncmsa |
as a lamp | like a torch | 1 |
H3940-08 |
וּ/כְ/לַפִּ֥יד | ukhelapid | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and like a torch | and like a torch of | 1 |
H3940-05 |
כְּ/לַפִּ֣ידֵי | kelapidey | HR/Ncmpc |
like torches | like torches of | 1 |
H3940-10 |
וְ/לַפִּדִ֖ים | velapidim | HC/Ncmpa |
and torches | and torches | 1 |
H3940-03 |
כַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ם | kalapidim | HRd/Ncmpa |
like torches | like burning-torches | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3940-09 |
Genesis 15:17 | וְ/לַפִּ֣יד | velapid | HC/Ncmsc |
and a torch | torch of |
H3940-02 |
Exodus 20:18 | הַ/לַּפִּידִ֗ם | halapidim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the torches | the torches |
H3940-10 |
Judges 7:16 | וְ/לַפִּדִ֖ים | velapidim | HC/Ncmpa |
and torches | and torches |
H3940-01 |
Judges 7:20 | בַּ/לַּפִּדִ֔ים | balapidim | HRd/Ncmpa |
the torches | in the torches |
H3940-07 |
Judges 15:4 | לַפִּדִ֗ים | lapidim | HNcmpa |
torches | burning torches |
H3940-06 |
Judges 15:4 | לַפִּ֥יד | lapid | HNcmsa |
torch | burning torch |
H3940-01 |
Judges 15:5 | בַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ים | balapidim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the torches | in the torches |
H3940-04 |
Isaiah 62:1 | כְּ/לַפִּ֥יד | kelapid | HR/Ncmsa |
as a lamp | like a torch |
H3940-02 |
Ezekiel 1:13 | הַ/לַּפִּדִ֔ים | halapidim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of-the-torches | the torches |
H3940-03 |
Nahum 2:5 | כַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ם | kalapidim | HRd/Ncmpa |
like torches | like burning-torches |