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סְפַר

𐤎𐤐𐤓

çᵉphar

H5609 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ספר to count, to write, to recount, to inscribe

Definition

Written document, scroll, letter, or record. In Biblical Aramaic, refers to physical or conceptual objects that contain writing, such as administrative documents, books, official correspondence, or scrolls.

Semantic Range

written document, scroll, letter, administrative record, book, official correspondence, decree

Root / Etymology

Aramaic noun derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew סָפַר (to count, recount, write). The underlying Semitic root carries the sense of writing. In Aramaic, סְפַר is the standard word for a written document, paralleling Hebrew סֵפֶר (sēfer).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Aramaic, primarily found in administrative and official contexts, such as those in Ezra and Daniel, referring to written records, edicts, or communications issued by authorities. It implies a physical medium (scroll, book, letter) rather than abstract writing. The meaning is consistent across biblical Aramaic texts, where it does not yet carry the later rabbinic sense of religious 'book.' Hebrew usage of the closely related סֵפֶר (sēfer) overlaps but also includes a broader range (e.g., genealogical or poetic works). English translations like 'book' or 'letter' reflect some of the range but may obscure that scrolls, not bound books, were the medium in the biblical period. The term was a standard for official and literary documents, distinct from inscriptions or ephemeral writings. Use of the word is limited to Aramaic sections of the Tanakh and is not attested in pre-exilic Aramaic outside of the Biblical corpus.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to סָפַר; a book; book, roll.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ספר (s-p-r) — to count, to write, to recount, to inscribe

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4557 מִסְפָּר in counted number of
H4558 מִסְפָּר counted total
H4559 מִסְפֶּרֶת Mispereth
H5601 סַפִּיר in the blue precious stones
H5608 סָפַר I will recount

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5609-01 בִּֽ/סְפַר bisefar AR/Ncmsc in the book in a written-record of 2
H5609-04 וְ/סִפְרִ֥ין vesiferin AC/Ncmpa and the books and written documents 1
H5609-02 סְפַ֥ר sefar ANcmsc in the book scroll of 1
H5609-03 סִפְרַיָּ֗/א siferaya ANcmpd/Td of the books the written-documents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5609-04 Daniel 7:10 וְ/סִפְרִ֥ין vesiferin AC/Ncmpa and the books and written documents
H5609-01 Ezra 4:15 בִּֽ/סְפַר bisefar AR/Ncmsc in the book in a written-record of
H5609-01 Ezra 4:15 בִּ/סְפַ֣ר bisefar-2 AR/Ncmsc in the book in a written-record of
H5609-03 Ezra 6:1 סִפְרַיָּ֗/א siferaya ANcmpd/Td of the books the written-documents
H5609-02 Ezra 6:18 סְפַ֥ר sefar ANcmsc in the book scroll of
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