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מוֹפֵת

𐤌𐤅𐤐𐤕

môwphêth

H4159 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain, but frequently associated with 'to be conspicuous, extraordinary; to show a portent'

Definition

An extraordinary or astonishing event, object, or act, serving as a sign or portent, especially one intended to demonstrate a power beyond ordinary human capability. The term often refers to a supernatural occurrence or public demonstration that evokes wonder and signals divine agency or intervention, but can also signify a portent, omen, or warning, particularly of judgment or disaster. In some contexts, it serves to authenticate a message or messenger as coming from the deity.

Semantic Range

supernatural wonder, miraculous act, portent, omen, sign of divine intervention, warning of judgment, object of astonishment, public example

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Uncertain. The traditional Strong's suggestion of derivation from יָפָה (to be beautiful, conspicuous) is not well supported in modern scholarship. Most lexicographers consider the etymology of מוֹפֵת uncertain, as no clear root is discernible in Semitic languages. Cognates outside Hebrew are not attested, suggesting the word may be a loan or a native development with obscured origins.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מוֹפֵת most frequently appears alongside אוֹת ('sign'), as in the phrase 'signs and wonders' (ֹאוֹתוֹת וּמֹפְתִים), denoting acts or phenomena that reveal divine power or purpose. While a sign (אוֹת) may be a mark, observable proof, or symbolic action, a מוֹפֵת typically refers to an event that is outstandingly prodigious and evokes astonishment, sometimes for positive wonder, but also as a harbinger of judgment or calamity (Exod 7:3; Deut 28:46). During the exodus narrative, the plagues and other miraculous deeds are described as מוֹפֵתִים, highlighting their role as dramatic supernatural interventions. In later, prophetic writings, the term can refer to signs warning of disaster or serving as public examples of divine judgment (Ezek 24:24; Jer 32:20-21). English translations often render the term as 'wonder,' 'miracle,' or 'portent,' but narrower translations may miss the full scope, which includes both awe-inspiring miracles and omens of warning. In later periods and translation traditions, the word contributed to developing concepts of 'miracle,' but in the Hebrew Bible, its primary sense is that of an event or object made conspicuous by its extraordinary nature, signaling a supernatural message or intent. Distinct from אוֹת, which can sometimes be less extraordinary or even mundane.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מֹפֵת; from יָפָה in the sense of conspicuousness; a miracle; by implication, a token or omen; miracle, sign, wonder(-ed at).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מופת (uncertain) (m-w-p-t (uncertain)) — extraordinary display, portent, astonishing sign

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4159-15 וּ֠/מֹפְתִים umofetim HC/Ncmpa and wonders and portentous wonders 5
H4159-06 מוֹפֵ֑ת mofet HNcmsa a miracle extraordinary portent 5
H4159-16 וּ/בְ/מוֹפְתִ֜ים uvemofetim HC/R/Ncmpa and by wonders and by extraordinary portents 3
H4159-18 וְ/הַ/מֹּֽפְתִים֙ vehamofetim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the wonders and the portentous wonders 3
H4159-07 מוֹפְתַ֖/י mofetay HNcmpc/Sp1cs my wonders my portents-of 2
H4159-08 מֹ֝פְתָ֗י/ו mofetayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his miracles his portents 2
H4159-02 הַ/מֹּֽפְתִים֙ hamofetim HTd/Ncmpa the wonders the extraordinary portents 2
H4159-13 וּ/מוֹפֵ֔ת umofet HC/Ncmsa and a sign extraordinary portent 2
H4159-05 לְ/מוֹפֵ֔ת lemofet HR/Ncmsa a sign for a portentous wonder 2
H4159-01 הַ/מּוֹפֵ֔ת hamofet HTd/Ncmsa the-sign the portentous wonder 2

Occurrences in Scripture

36 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4159-02 Exodus 4:21 הַ/מֹּֽפְתִים֙ hamofetim HTd/Ncmpa the wonders the extraordinary portents
H4159-07 Exodus 7:3 מוֹפְתַ֖/י mofetay HNcmpc/Sp1cs my wonders my portents-of
H4159-06 Exodus 7:9 מוֹפֵ֑ת mofet HNcmsa a miracle extraordinary portent
H4159-07 Exodus 11:9 מוֹפְתַ֖/י mofetay HNcmpc/Sp1cs My wonders my portents-of
H4159-02 Exodus 11:10 הַ/מֹּפְתִ֥ים hamofetim HTd/Ncmpa the wonders the extraordinary portents
H4159-16 Deuteronomy 4:34 וּ/בְ/מוֹפְתִ֜ים uvemofetim HC/R/Ncmpa and by wonders and by extraordinary portents
H4159-15 Deuteronomy 6:22 וּ֠/מֹפְתִים umofetim HC/Ncmpa and wonders and portentous wonders
H4159-18 Deuteronomy 7:19 וְ/הַ/מֹּֽפְתִים֙ vehamofetim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the wonders and the portentous wonders
H4159-06 Deuteronomy 13:2 מוֹפֵֽת mofet HNcmsa a wonder extraordinary portent
H4159-17 Deuteronomy 13:3 וְ/הַ/מּוֹפֵ֔ת vehamofet HC/Td/Ncmsa or the wonder and the extraordinary portent
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