צָפָה
𐤑𐤐𐤄
tsâphâh
H6823 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To overlay or cover with a thin layer, particularly of metal; to coat a surface (such as wood or stone) with a metallic layer, usually for decorative or protective purposes. The verb typically denotes the action of adorning, plating, or sheathing objects with precious metals, most often gold or silver, but sometimes with other materials. The semantic range includes both literal acts of applying a metal or material covering and, less commonly, figurative uses referring to embellishment or beautification.
Semantic Range
to overlay (with metal), to coat, to cover (a surface with a material), to plate or sheath, to cover with a protective or decorative layer
Root / Etymology
This verb derives from the root צפה, which at its core means 'to cover, to overlay.' The root can also mean 'to look out, to watch,' but in this verbal form (pi'el or qal, depending on context), the sense is 'to overlay,' often with reference to craftsmen overlaying objects for the tabernacle or temple. There is phonetic convergence with another root צפה ('to watch'), but in usage the senses are distinct.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, צָפָה is especially used in technical contexts relating to the construction of sacred objects or architecture (e.g., overlaying the Ark of the Covenant or altar with gold, Exodus 25:11). The action is associated with skilled craftsmanship and is almost always literal; rarely is it used metaphorically. The word is distinct from similar crafting verbs (such as כסה 'to cover') as it specifies not just generic covering but the decorative process of overlaying, particularly with precious metals. In English translations, the nuance of overlaying with precious metal may be flattened to 'cover,' but the Hebrew term is more specialized. Over time, the verb does not appear to take on major new senses and remains a technical term in later biblical and post-biblical usage. Not to be confused with the root צפה ('to watch'), though both share spelling and likely a conceptual root associated with 'covering' or 'surface.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (probably identical with צָפָה through the idea of expansion in outlook, transferring to action); to sheet over (especially with metal); cover, overlay.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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צפה (ts-p-h) — covering, overlaying, plating
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4707 | מִצְפֶּה | the lookout-post |
| H4708 | מִצְפֶּה | to the Watchtower |
| H4709 | מִצְפָּה | in the Watchtower |
| H6822 | צָפָה | I will keep vigilant watch |
| H6824 | צָפָה | your flood |
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6823-07 |
וַ/יְצַ֥ף | vayetsaf | HC/Vpw3ms |
and overlaid | he intensively overlaid | 13 |
H6823-12 |
וְ/צִפִּיתָ֤ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and overlay | and you overlaid | 10 |
H6823-06 |
צִפָּ֣ה | tsipah | HVpp3ms |
he overlaid | he plated over | 7 |
H6823-08 |
וַ/יְצַפֵּ֛/הוּ | vayetsapehu | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms |
and he overlaid it | and he overlaid him | 6 |
H6823-11 |
וְ/צִפָּ֧ה | vetsipah | HC/Vpp3ms |
and he overlaid | and he plated over | 4 |
H6823-05 |
צָפֹ֥ה | tsafoh | HVqa |
set the watch | to overlay | 1 |
H6823-02 |
מְצֻפִּ֣ים | metsupim | HVPsmpa |
overlaid | overlaid ones | 1 |
H6823-09 |
וַ/יְצַפֵּ֣/ם | vayetsapem | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3mp |
and overlaid them | he overlaid them | 1 |
H6823-04 |
תְּצַפֶּ֑/נּוּ | tetsapenu | HVpi2ms/Sp3ms |
you shall overlay it | you will overlay him | 1 |
H6823-01 |
מְצֻפֶּ֣ה | metsupeh | HVPsmsa |
overlaid | overlaid | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
47 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6823-12 |
Exodus 25:11 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֤ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and you shall overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-04 |
Exodus 25:11 | תְּצַפֶּ֑/נּוּ | tetsapenu | HVpi2ms/Sp3ms |
you shall overlay it | you will overlay him |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 25:13 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 25:24 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and you shall overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 25:28 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-03 |
Exodus 26:29 | תְּצַפֶּ֣ה | tetsapeh | HVpi2ms |
you shall overlay | you will overlay |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 26:29 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and you shall overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-02 |
Exodus 26:32 | מְצֻפִּ֣ים | metsupim | HVPsmpa |
overlaid | overlaid ones |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 26:37 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֤ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and overlay | and you overlaid |
H6823-12 |
Exodus 27:2 | וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥ | vetsipita | HC/Vpq2ms |
and you shall overlay | and you overlaid |