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מִסְפָּר

𐤌𐤎𐤐𐤓

Misepar

H4558 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ספר to count, to enumerate, to recount

Definition

Miṣpār as a proper noun refers to an individual identified as an Israelite by that name. As a common noun (mispar), it denotes a count, number, numerical amount, or the act of counting. The term can imply an enumerated total, a list, or a reckoned amount of persons or things, including census data or specified groups.

Semantic Range

number, enumeration, sum, quantity, counted group, census, reckoned amount, listing, abstract sense of 'several' or 'few', personal name (Mispar/Mizpar)

Root / Etymology

From the root ספר (samekh-peh-resh), meaning 'to count, relate, enumerate.' Miṣpār is formed with the mem-prefix (indicating instrument or result) and usually means 'number, numerical result of counting.' As a name, it likely alludes to a numerical association or the concept of counting.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מִסְפָּר as a proper noun (Mispar) refers to a returned exile listed in Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7, potentially as a head of a family group or clan. As a common noun, it is widespread and often appears in contexts of counting Israelites (Numbers 1:2, etc.), tribes, or people for census-taking. In some instances, it refers abstractly to the immeasurable or unspecified (e.g., 'without number'). English translations frequently render it as 'number,' but in context may indicate 'group,' 'list,' or 'quantity.' מִּסְפָּר should not be confused with the very similar מִסְפֶּרֶת (misperet), which denotes a numbering or a tool for counting in a more concrete or instrumental sense. The later English translation 'Mizpar' is a transliteration for the personal name and does not derive from a distinct etymology.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as מֶלְקָח; number; Mispar, an Israelite; Mizpar. Compare מִסְפֶּרֶת.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ספר (s-p-r) — to count, to enumerate, to recount, to tell

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4557 מִסְפָּר in counted number of
H4559 מִסְפֶּרֶת Mispereth
H5601 סַפִּיר in the blue precious stones
H5608 סָפַר I will recount
H5609 סְפַר in a written-record of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4558-01 מִסְפָּ֥ר misepar HNp Mispar counted total 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4558-01 Ezra 2:2 מִסְפָּ֥ר misepar HNp Mispar counted total
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