סוֹף
𐤎𐤅𐤐
çôwph
H5490 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A point of cessation, the final part or conclusion of an event, time span, or sequence; frequently denotes the literal or figurative end or extremity of something. The term can refer to the end of time, the conclusion of a process, or the uttermost part of a period or place. In some contexts, it may designate the outcome or result of an action.
Semantic Range
end, conclusion, termination, final point, extremity, outcome, final period; outcome or result (in some contexts)
Root / Etymology
From the root סוּף (to come to an end, cease, perish), meaning 'to end' or 'cease.' The noun סוֹף derives directly from this verbal root and encapsulates the idea of reaching a final limit or stopping point. The root סוּף itself is distinct from the homonymous reed plant (e.g., ים סוף), and the two are etymologically unrelated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סוֹף appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel 12:13, Amos 8:2), nearly always in reference to temporal or existential endings and conclusions. In Late Biblical Hebrew and post-biblical Hebrew, סוֹף is used more widely to indicate the end or outcome of events, persons, or periods. In many modern translations, 'end' is used, which captures the general sense but sometimes misses the full idiomatic nuance; the English 'conclusion' or 'final outcome' may better reflect the range in certain contexts. It does not inherently bear negative or positive connotations, but is neutral, context-determined. In contrast to קֵץ (qeitz), which often refers to a fixed, appointed end or limit (especially of time or exile), סוֹף can denote any finality, not necessarily predetermined or fixed by decree. The term is not to be confused with סוּף ('reed') as in ‘Reed Sea’ (Yam Suf). Translational traditions sometimes render it using later theological concepts such as 'latter days,' but these are interpretive rather than strictly lexical.
Translation Consistency
‘End’ is the natural, common English word that covers the full semantic range of סוֹף — literal extremity, conclusion of a period or process, and the outcome/result. It is concise and idiomatic (preferable to the clunkier “end‑point”), so it will yield consistent, easily understood renderings across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סוּף; a termination; conclusion, end, hinder participle
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
סוף (Suf) — to come to an end, cease, perish, destroy
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5486 | סוּף | I will bring to an end |
| H5487 | סוּף | she came to an end |
| H5489 | סוּף | marsh-reed |
| H5491 | סוֹף | to end of |
| H5492 | סוּפָה | in a sweeping storm |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5490-02 |
סֽוֹף | sof | HNcmsa |
end | end-point | end-point | 3 |
H5490-01 |
בְּ/ס֣וֹף | besof | HR/Ncmsc |
at the end | in the end of | at the end of | 1 |
H5490-03 |
וְ/סֹפ֖/וֹ | vesofo | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and-his-rear | and his end | and his end | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5490-03 |
Joel 2:20 | וְ/סֹפ֖/וֹ | vesofo | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and-his-rear | and his end | and his end |
H5490-02 |
Ecclesiastes 3:11 | סֽוֹף | sof | HNcmsa |
end-point | end-point | |
H5490-02 |
Ecclesiastes 7:2 | ס֣וֹף | sof | HNcmsc |
end-point | end-point | |
H5490-02 |
Ecclesiastes 12:13 | ס֥וֹף | sof | HNcmsc |
end | end-point | end-point |
H5490-01 |
2 Chronicles 20:16 | בְּ/ס֣וֹף | besof | HR/Ncmsc |
at the end | in the end of | at the end of |