מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם
𐤌𐤔𐤓𐤐𐤅𐤕 𐤌𐤉𐤌
Miserefot Mayim
H4956 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Misrephoth-Maim is a toponym referring to a specific geographic location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, most likely denoting an area known for burning places or perhaps lime-kilns near water, or hot springs. The term combines the plural form of 'burning-place' (misrephoth) with 'waters' (mayim). The precise meaning in context is likely 'burning places of waters' or 'places of burning by the waters.'
Semantic Range
Misrephoth-Maim (proper noun, place-name), burning places by the waters, hot springs near water, lime-kilns by water, geographic boundary marker
Root / Etymology
The compound consists of מִשְׂרְפוֹת (misrephoth), the plural of מִשְׂרָפָה (misrafah, 'burning-place,' from the root שׂרף š-r-p, 'to burn'), and מַיִם (mayim, 'waters'). Thus, the name is formed from 'burning-places' + 'waters.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Misrephoth-Maim appears as a toponym in the context of Joshua's northern campaign (Joshua 11:8; 13:6), marking the extent of the area conquered. The precise identification of the location is uncertain, but it is situated near Sidon and Lebanon, close to the coast. Scholarly proposals range from natural hot springs to lime-kilns or other industrial burning activities by water sources, reflective of ancient place-naming practices. There is no direct evidence that this location was significant outside this textual context. English translations following tradition often retain the transliterated name, though the phrase could misleadingly be rendered by literal translation. The word does not refer to a people group, identity, or religious concept, but strictly to a geographic locality.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the plural of מִשְׂרָפָה and מַיִם; burnings of water; Misrephoth-Majim, a place in Palestine; Misrephoth-mayim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מים (m-y-m) — water, flowing abundance, liquid substance
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4956-02 |
מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | miserefot | HNp |
Misrephoth | Burning-Places of the Waters | 2 |
H4956-01 |
מַ֔יִם | mayim | HNp |
Maim | waters | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4956-02 |
Joshua 11:8 | מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | miserefot | HNp |
Misrephoth | Burning-Places of the Waters |
H4956-01 |
Joshua 11:8 | מַ֔יִם | mayim | HNp |
Maim | waters |
H4956-02 |
Joshua 13:6 | מִשְׂרְפֹ֥ת | miserefot | HNp |
Misrephoth | Burning-Places of the Waters |
H4956-01 |
Joshua 13:6 | מַ֨יִם֙ | mayim | HNp |
Maim | waters |