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צֶפַע

𐤑𐤐𐤏

tsephaʻ

H6848 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A type of venomous serpent, specifically a viper, recognized in ancient Israelite contexts as a dangerous, venomous snake. The term is used to denote a particular species of serpent, often referenced in poetic or prophetic passages to symbolize lethal threat or cunning. In some contexts, the word can allude metaphorically to hidden danger or unexpected peril.

Semantic Range

viper, adder, venomous serpent, symbol of deadly threat, symbol of cunning or danger (figurative)

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Root uncertain. Although traditionally connected to a root meaning 'to extrude' or 'to spit/hiss,' there is no securely attested root צפע in Biblical Hebrew. The noun צֶפַע appears as an independent lexical item for 'viper'; the denominative verb צִפְעֹנִי (tsiph'oní) shares a plausible relationship, but the underlying root is not found elsewhere.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: The term צֶפַע appears only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Isaiah 14:29 and 59:5), most often in poetic or prophetic literature, referencing a venomous viper. The word is part of a set of Hebrew terms for serpents (e.g. נָחָשׁ nachash, שָׂרָף saraph, אֶפְעֶה ef'eh), each denoting different kinds of snakes or supernatural beings. צֶפַע likely refers to a specific species within the viperidae family, although precise zoological identification is uncertain. Later Greek and Latin translations differ in rendering (e.g., ἔχιδνα [echidna] in the Septuagint, 'cockatrice' in the Vulgate), sometimes blurring distinctions between actual species and legendary serpents. English versions have rendered the term as 'adder,' 'viper,' or 'cockatrice,' though 'cockatrice' is now recognized as a mistranslation, as it is a mythological creature not present in the original Hebrew concept. The emphasis in context is upon the threat of sudden, deadly attack, with possible secondary associations of subtlety or deceit in metaphorical use.

Translation Consistency

primary "viper" 5 occurrences

The Hebrew tsephaʻ specifically denotes a venomous serpent (viper/adder). "Viper" is a natural, single-word English equivalent that preserves the dangerous, venomous connotation and fits both literal and figurative uses; it also matches the majority of existing renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to extrude; a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e. hissing); adder, cockatrice.

Bantu Hebrew

Language Bantu Word Transliteration Meaning
Bemba nsoka snake
Chichewa nyoka snake
Kikuyu nyoka snake, serpent
Kinyarwanda inyoka snake
Lingala nyoka snake
Makua nyoka snake
Shona nyoka snake, serpent
Sukuma nyooka snake
Swahili nyoka snake
Tonga nyoka snake, serpent
Xhosa inyoka snake, serpent
Zulu inyoka snake, serpent
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Root Family

צפע (ts-p-ʿ) — to extrude, to spit, to hiss (uncertain root)

Root צפע to extrude, to spit, to hiss (uncertain root)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6832 צְפוּעַ dried droppings of
H6849 צְפִעָה and the expelled discharges

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6848-02 צִפְעוֹנִ֔י tsifeoni HNcmsa cockatrice viper viper 2
H6848-04 וּֽ/כְ/צִפְעֹנִ֥י ukhetsifeoni HC/R/Ncmsa and like a viper and like a viper and like a viper 1
H6848-01 צֶ֔פַע tsefa HNcmsa a viper hissing viper hissing viper 1
H6848-03 צִפְעֹנִ֔ים tsifeonim HNcmpa vipers vipers vipers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6848-02 Isaiah 11:8 צִפְעוֹנִ֔י tsifeoni HNcmsa cockatrice viper viper
H6848-01 Isaiah 14:29 צֶ֔פַע tsefa HNcmsa a viper hissing viper hissing viper
H6848-02 Isaiah 59:5 צִפְעוֹנִי֙ tsifeoni HNcmsa of vipers viper viper
H6848-03 Jeremiah 8:17 צִפְעֹנִ֔ים tsifeonim HNcmpa vipers vipers vipers
H6848-04 Proverbs 23:32 וּֽ/כְ/צִפְעֹנִ֥י ukhetsifeoni HC/R/Ncmsa and like a viper and like a viper and like a viper
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