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סְעַפָּה

𐤎𐤏𐤐𐤄

çᵉʻappâh

H5589 noun

SILEX Entry

Root סעף to branch, to fork, to divide

Definition

A small offshoot, twig, or slender branch of a tree. The term denotes a secondary stem or a small division growing from a larger bough. In extended usage, may refer to minor or subsidiary divisions, particularly in metaphorical contexts.

Semantic Range

twig, small branch, outgrowth or shoot from a tree; by extension, minor or subsidiary division; rarely, used metaphorically for division or separation

Root / Etymology

From the root סעף (s-'-p), which conveys the idea of dividing, branching, or forking. The feminine formation סְעַפָּה specifically denotes a twig or a small branch, as distinct from the masculine סָעִיף ('bough', 'main limb'). The noun retains the fundamental idea from the root: the out-growth or extension from a primary stem.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, סְעַפָּה appears rarely and is used in physical descriptions of trees, often in poetic contexts. Its use is distinguishable from other terms for branch (e.g., זֵרֵעַ, דָּלִית, עָנָף), which may connote strength or prominence. In metaphorical and prophetic passages, the term may carry nuances of division or fragmentation, aligned with the root meaning of 'forking.' Post-biblical Hebrew preserved related forms but this particular term is rare outside the Tanakh. Later Jewish and Christian translations sometimes render it generically as 'branch,' which fails to convey its specific meaning as a smaller or more subordinate shoot or twig. The semantic overlap with סַרְעַפָּה is noted; both convey branching, but סַרְעַפָּה may point to divided thoughts or waverings in metaphorical use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of סָעִיף; a twig; bough, branch. Compare סַרְעַפָּה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סעף (s-ʿ-p) — to branch, to fork, to divide

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5585 סָעִיף in split-off of
H5586 סָעַף branch-lopping one
H5587 סָעִף in divided thoughts
H5588 סֵעֵף divided-minded ones
H5634 סַרְעַפָּה his twigs

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5589-02 סְעַפֹּתָ֔י/ו seapotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms its boughs his twigs 1
H5589-01 בִּ/סְעַפֹּתָ֤י/ו biseapotayv HR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms in its boughs in his twigs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5589-01 Ezekiel 31:6 בִּ/סְעַפֹּתָ֤י/ו biseapotayv HR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms in its boughs in his twigs
H5589-02 Ezekiel 31:8 סְעַפֹּתָ֔י/ו seapotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms its boughs his twigs
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