עוֹפֶרֶת
𐤏𐤅𐤐𐤓𐤕
ʻôwphereth
H5777 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A dense, bluish-gray metal identified as 'lead' used primarily in technical, economic, and ritual contexts in the Hebrew Bible. The term may also reference the appearance or properties of lead, such as its dull luster or weight. In some cases, it is contrasted with more precious metals to emphasize its relative insignificance or impurity.
Semantic Range
lead (the metal), lead ore, metaphor for impurity or baseness, material used for alloying; rarely, by association, signifies something of low value or worth in comparison to precious metals
Root / Etymology
From the root עפר ('ʿ-p-r'), meaning 'dust, dry earth,' emphasizing the dusty or earthy appearance or color of lead ore. The term עוֹפֶרֶת originally designates lead as a metal distinguished by its resemblance to dust or its production from dusty ore.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עוֹפֶרֶת appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Numbers 31:22; Jeremiah 6:29; Ezekiel 22:18, 20), consistently denoting the metal lead. Its association with dust, via its root, underlines either its color, texture, or its derivation from ores resembling earth. Lead had several uses in the ancient Near East, including weights, alloys, and perhaps writing implements, but was considered of low value relative to silver or gold. Greek and later translations (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) consistently render this word as 'lead;' the English tradition follows suit, but the Hebrew term draws out aspects—such as color and impurity—not foregrounded in these translations. There is no evidence that עוֹפֶרֶת referred to other metals in biblical usage. The related verb עָפַר means 'to be dusty, turn to dust'—thus highlighting the contrast between עוֹפֶרֶת (lead: base/earthy) and precious, shining metals in prophetic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or עֹפֶרֶת; feminine participle active of עָפַר; lead (from its dusty color); lead.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עפר (ʿ-p-r) — dust, dry earth, become dusty, scatter like dust
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6080 | עָפַר | and he dusted |
| H6081 | עֵפֶר | Epher |
| H6082 | עֹפֶר | fawn of |
| H6083 | עָפָר | dust |
| H6084 | עׇפְרָה | Doe |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5777-07 |
וְ/עוֹפֶ֨רֶת֙ | veoferet | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | dust-ore lead | 3 |
H5777-06 |
וְ/עֹפָ֑רֶת | veofaret | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | and lead-metal | 1 |
H5777-05 |
עֹפֶ֖רֶת | oferet | HNcfsa |
of lead | dust-metal lead | 1 |
H5777-04 |
עֹפָ֑רֶת | ofaret | HNcfsa |
lead | lead | 1 |
H5777-01 |
הָ/עֹפָֽרֶת | haofaret | HTd/Ncfsa |
the lead | the dusty-metal (lead) | 1 |
H5777-02 |
הָ/עֹפֶ֖רֶת | haoferet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of lead | the lead | 1 |
H5777-03 |
כַּֽ/עוֹפֶ֔רֶת | kaoferet | HRd/Ncfsa |
like lead | dust-metal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5777-03 |
Exodus 15:10 | כַּֽ/עוֹפֶ֔רֶת | kaoferet | HRd/Ncfsa |
like lead | dust-metal |
H5777-01 |
Numbers 31:22 | הָ/עֹפָֽרֶת | haofaret | HTd/Ncfsa |
the lead | the dusty-metal (lead) |
H5777-04 |
Jeremiah 6:29 | עֹפָ֑רֶת | ofaret | HNcfsa |
lead | lead |
H5777-07 |
Ezekiel 22:18 | וְ/עוֹפֶ֨רֶת֙ | veoferet | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | dust-ore lead |
H5777-07 |
Ezekiel 22:20 | וְ/עוֹפֶ֤רֶת | veoferet | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | dust-ore lead |
H5777-07 |
Ezekiel 27:12 | וְ/עוֹפֶ֔רֶת | veoferet | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | dust-ore lead |
H5777-05 |
Zechariah 5:7 | עֹפֶ֖רֶת | oferet | HNcfsa |
of lead | dust-metal lead |
H5777-02 |
Zechariah 5:8 | הָ/עֹפֶ֖רֶת | haoferet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of lead | the lead |
H5777-06 |
Job 19:24 | וְ/עֹפָ֑רֶת | veofaret | HC/Ncfsa |
and lead | and lead-metal |