סִפֻּן
𐤎𐤐𐤍
çippun
H5604 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Finished woodwork forming the interior lining of a roof or ceiling; a panelled or boarded ceiling, often constructed of carefully fitted boards or beams. In biblical contexts, it refers specifically to the structural elements covering the interior upper surface of a building, typically made from valuable wood such as cedar, indicating a higher-quality or elaborate architectural finish.
Semantic Range
panelled ceiling, boarded ceiling, interior roof lining, wainscot, decorative woodwork for ceiling
Root / Etymology
From the root סָפַן (safan), meaning 'to cover, overlay, panel.' The noun סִפֻּן (çippun) is a product noun formed by vowel change and the 'pu'al' pattern, indicating the result of the action—'something covered or panelled.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word סִפֻּן occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in 1 Kings 6:15 where it designates the cedar paneling or boarding used for the ceiling of Solomon’s temple. This architectural detail signified wealth and dignity, as cedar was a costly, imported wood. The term does not refer to the external roof but to the internal covering—an ornate, visible feature of prestigious constructions. סִפֻּן differs from related terms such as קָרוֹת (qarot, beams or rafters) and קֹרוֹת בָּיִת (korot bayit, house beams), which refer to supportive structural elements rather than decorative finishes. English translations often use 'ceiling,' 'wainscot,' or 'paneling,' but these may not fully capture the sense of high-value, decorative craftsmanship implied. Over time, the concept of elaborate paneling for ceilings came to signify luxurious finishings in post-exilic and later contexts, but in the biblical period its mention is confined to rare, illustrious buildings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָפַן; a wainscot; cieling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ספן (s-p-n) — cover, overlay, panel
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5604-01 |
הַ/סִּפֻּ֔ן | hasipun | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ceiling | the panelled ceiling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5604-01 |
1 Kings 6:15 | הַ/סִּפֻּ֔ן | hasipun | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ceiling | the panelled ceiling |