שַׁעַף
𐤔𐤏𐤐
Shaaf
H8174 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, Shaaph, belonging to two individuals in genealogical lists within the Hebrew Bible. The name likely carries the connotation of 'to sweep away,' 'to drive with gusts,' or 'to be disturbed', reflecting a connection to the root meaning of agitation or strong movement. The term itself was used solely as a proper name and not as a common noun or verb within biblical texts.
Semantic Range
proper name (Shaaph); derived sense of being swept away, driven, disturbed; no attested common noun or verb use in the biblical text
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root שׁעף (shaʻaf), which carries meanings such as 'to sweep away,' 'to drive, be swept along,' or 'to storm, be agitated.' The proper name שַׁעַף (Shaaph) appears to derive from this root, potentially signifying 'he sweeps away' or 'one who is swept away.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the genealogical records, שַׁעַף (Shaaph) designates two individuals: one a descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:49), and one a descendant of Jahdai (1 Chronicles 2:47). Both references appear within lists detailing Israelite tribal and familial lineages in the monarchic and post-monarchic periods. The meaning of personal names often reflects a desired attribute, a commemorative circumstance, or metaphorical associations. In this case, there is no narrative context to further clarify the intended nuance of the name, though the underlying root relates to movement, agitation, or sweeping. English translations simply transliterate the name as Shaaph without an attempt at rendering the underlying meaning. The use of ליל fluctuations' as an underlying sense echoes the possible agitation or restlessness implied by the root but is not independently attested as a word or concept in biblical Hebrew outside of proper names. This distinguishes it from related roots like סָעַף (sa‘af) or שָׁעַף (shaʻaf) used in poetic contexts to suggest wildness, storm, or agitation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָעַף; fluctuation; Shaaph, the name of two Israelites; Shaaph.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁעף (sh-ʿ-p) — to sweep away, to drive (as by wind), to be agitated, to storm
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8174-01 |
שַׁ֚עַף | shaaf | HNp |
Shaaph | Swept-Away One | 1 |
H8174-02 |
וָ/שָֽׁעַף | vashaaf | HC/Np |
and Shaaph | And Swept-Away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8174-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:47 | וָ/שָֽׁעַף | vashaaf | HC/Np |
and Shaaph | And Swept-Away |
H8174-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:49 | שַׁ֚עַף | shaaf | HNp |
Shaaph | Swept-Away One |