אֲנַף
𐤀𐤍𐤐
ʼănaph
H600 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Face or visage, particularly as the most visible part or aspect of a being; in some contexts, 'countenance' or presence. In Aramaic passages of the Hebrew Bible, refers physically to the frontal aspect of a person or being, but can also be used more broadly for appearance or presence, especially in phrases relating to standing before someone or something.
Semantic Range
face, countenance, appearance, presence, visage
Root / Etymology
From the root אף meaning 'nose, nostril, face'; in Aramaic (as in אֲנַף), the word commonly designates 'face'. The root sense relates originally to the prominent feature of the face (the nose) but expands semantically to refer to the entire face or expression.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Tanakh, notably in Daniel and Ezra. Unlike Hebrew אף, which regularly means 'nose' and figuratively 'anger' (from flaring nostrils), Aramaic אֲנַף designates the entire 'face' and does not carry the idiomatic meaning of anger. When referring to 'face' in Aramaic, it nearly always appears in the plural form but is understood as a singular noun (similar to the Hebrew פָּנִים). In English, often translated simply as 'face,' but context determines whether 'presence' or 'appearance' might better convey the sense in a given passage. In later Aramaic and Rabbinic usage, the meaning as 'face' continues. Standard English translations usually adequately render the scope of the word, but the connection to the root meaning 'nose' is often obscured.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to אַף (only in the plural as a singular); the face; face, visage.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אף (ʾ-p̄) — nose, nostril, face, presence
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H600-01 |
אַנְפּ֔וֹ/הִי | anepohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his face | his face | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H600-01 |
Daniel 2:46 | אַנְפּ֔וֹ/הִי | anepohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his face | his face |
H600-01 |
Daniel 3:19 | אַנְפּ֨וֹ/הִי֙ | anepohi | ANcmdc/Sp3ms |
of his face | his face |