סָעִיף
𐤎𐤏𐤉𐤐
çâʻîyph
H5585 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A projecting part; specifically, a split, fissure, or cleft (as in rocks), or an offshoot, branch, or limb (as on a tree), highlighting an element that 'diverges' or 'shoots out' from a larger whole. The term refers both to geological features (natural gaps or splits in rock) and botanical ones (a branch emanating from a trunk or main limb), often with an emphasis on separation or divergence from the main body.
Semantic Range
a fissure in rocks, a cleft or split, a projecting branch or limb, a bough that diverges from the trunk, something set apart or separated from a main body
Root / Etymology
Root: סָעַף (s-ʿ-p). The root meaning is 'to divide, branch off, cleave.' סָעִיף is a noun derived from this root, carrying the extended senses of something split off (e.g., a cleft in rock) or branching out (e.g., a limb of a tree).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, סָעִיף appears in poetic and metaphorical contexts (e.g., Isaiah 7:2 – 'the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind,' and 1 Kings 18:21, 'how long will you limp between two opinions,' though the latter uses a verb form). When used literally, it describes physical splits—either a crevice in a rock, signifying a place of division or weakness, or a branch separated from a tree, highlighting a subdivision. The dual application in geology (crevice) and botany (branch) reflects the shared conceptual root of branching or dividing. English translations often settle for 'branch,' 'cleft,' or 'fissure,' but these may not capture the full nuance of a part that is both distinct from, yet still related to, its source. Unlike related terms such as עָנָף (ʿānāf, 'branch, bough') which refer primarily to greenery or tree branches without connotation of splitting, סָעִיף carries a stronger sense of divergence or separation. In biblical usage, the sense of instability, division, or being split off is important in poetic and prophetic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָעַף; a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided); (outmost) branch, clift, top.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סעף (s-ʿ-p) — divide, split off, branch, cleave
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5586 | סָעַף | branch-lopping one |
| H5587 | סָעִף | in divided thoughts |
| H5588 | סֵעֵף | divided-minded ones |
| H5589 | סְעַפָּה | in his twigs |
| H5634 | סַרְעַפָּה | his twigs |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5585-05 |
סְעִפֶֽי/הָ | seifeyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
its-branches | her branches | 1 |
H5585-02 |
בִּ/סְעִפֶ֨י/הָ֙ | biseifeyha | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs |
on the branches of it | her branching parts | 1 |
H5585-03 |
סְעִיף֮ | seif | HNcmsc |
cleft | branching offshoot | 1 |
H5585-04 |
סְעִפֵ֥י | seifey | HNcmpc |
clefts of | split-off branches of | 1 |
H5585-01 |
בִּ/סְעִ֖יף | biseif | HR/Ncmsc |
in the cleft of | in split-off of | 1 |
H5585-06 |
וּ/בִ/סְעִפֵ֖י | uviseifey | HC/R/Ncmpc |
and into the crevices | and in branchings of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5585-01 |
Judges 15:8 | בִּ/סְעִ֖יף | biseif | HR/Ncmsc |
in the cleft of | in split-off of |
H5585-03 |
Judges 15:11 | סְעִיף֮ | seif | HNcmsc |
cleft | branching offshoot |
H5585-06 |
Isaiah 2:21 | וּ/בִ/סְעִפֵ֖י | uviseifey | HC/R/Ncmpc |
and into the crevices | and in branchings of |
H5585-02 |
Isaiah 17:6 | בִּ/סְעִפֶ֨י/הָ֙ | biseifeyha | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3fs |
on the branches of it | her branching parts |
H5585-05 |
Isaiah 27:10 | סְעִפֶֽי/הָ | seifeyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
its-branches | her branches |
H5585-04 |
Isaiah 57:5 | סְעִפֵ֥י | seifey | HNcmpc |
clefts of | split-off branches of |