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סַף

𐤎𐤐

çaph

H5592 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ס־פ־ף to enclose, to border, to edge, to contain

Definition

A container or receptacle, specifically a basin or bowl, usually large and used for collecting or holding liquids such as blood or water in ritual or domestic contexts; also, a threshold or entryway, particularly the floor-slab or step at the doorway to a house or building. The term can denote both a physical vessel and, by extension, the limiting boundary or entry point into a space.

Semantic Range

basin, bowl, large dish, receptacle for liquids (especially in ritual use); threshold, doorway boundary, entrance platform or slab

Root / Etymology

Root ס־פ־ף (סָפַף), meaning 'to enclose, to surround, to border'. The noun סַף is derived from this root, indicating something that forms a physical boundary or container, whether as a vessel or as the architectural threshold at the entrance to a house or temple.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, סַף primarily refers to a large container or basin, especially in ritual contexts such as the basins used in the tabernacle or temple for blood collection during sacrifices (Exod 12:22, 2 Kgs 12:14). Its other primary sense, 'threshold,' indicates the slab or platform at the base of a doorway (Judg 19:27; Zeph 2:14). The semantic connection between these senses lies in the concept of 'containing' or 'framing a limit'—the basin contains liquid; the threshold marks the boundary of a space. In later periods and rabbinic Hebrew, סַף mainly means 'threshold' for houses or structures. In translation tradition, 'bowl' or 'basin' is sometimes rendered as 'cup' or 'dish,' but these may understate the typical size or ritual significance of the ancient vessel. The English KJV's use of 'door post' for סַף often overlaps with other terms (e.g., מְזוּזָה 'mezuzah'), but סַף refers more accurately to the lower part of the doorway or threshold, not the vertical posts. The word does not denote a personal or familial name and should be distinguished from similarly spelled terms. Later Greek/English translations may extend its meaning metaphorically (e.g., 'edge, limit'), but this is not a standard biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from סָפַף, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine); bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ספף (s-p-p) — to enclose, to border, to edge, to contain

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5605 סָפַף to station oneself at the threshold

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5592-03 הַ/סַּֽף hasaf HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the boundary-threshold 11
H5592-04 הַ/סִּפִּ֔ים hasipim HTd/Ncmpa the thresholds the thresholds 7
H5592-05 סַ֣ף saf HNcmsc threshold boundary-basin 3
H5592-01 בַּ/סַּף֒ basaf HRd/Ncmsa is in the basin in the boundary-basin 3
H5592-10 בְ/סַף vesaf HR/Ncmsc and the threshold enclosing-threshold of 2
H5592-02 בַּ/סִּפִּ֔ים basipim HRd/Ncmpa at the thresholds in the thresholds 1
H5592-07 סִפִּ֗/י sipi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my threshold my threshold 1
H5592-09 וְ֠/הַ/סִּפּוֹת vehasipot HC/Td/Ncmpa and the basins and the enclosing basins 1
H5592-11 וְ/סַפּוֹת֙ vesapot HC/Ncmpa and basins and basins 1
H5592-06 סִפָּ֜/ם sipam HNcmsc/Sp3mp their threshold their boundary-threshold 1

Occurrences in Scripture

32 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5592-01 Exodus 12:22 בַּ/סַּף֒ basaf HRd/Ncmsa is in the basin in the boundary-basin
H5592-01 Exodus 12:22 בַּ/סָּ֑ף basaf-2 HRd/Ncmsa is in the basin in the boundary-basin
H5592-03 Judges 19:27 הַ/סַּֽף hasaf HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the boundary-threshold
H5592-11 2 Samuel 17:28 וְ/סַפּוֹת֙ vesapot HC/Ncmpa and basins and basins
H5592-09 1 Kings 7:50 וְ֠/הַ/סִּפּוֹת vehasipot HC/Td/Ncmpa and the basins and the enclosing basins
H5592-10 1 Kings 14:17 בְ/סַף vesaf HR/Ncmsc in the threshold enclosing-threshold of
H5592-03 2 Kings 12:10 הַ/סַּ֔ף hasaf HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the boundary-threshold
H5592-08 2 Kings 12:14 סִפּ֥וֹת sipot HNcmpc bowls basins of
H5592-03 2 Kings 22:4 הַ/סַּ֖ף hasaf HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the boundary-threshold
H5592-03 2 Kings 23:4 הַ/סַּף֒ hasaf HTd/Ncmsa the threshold the boundary-threshold
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