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שַׁפִּיר

𐤔𐤐𐤉𐤓

shappîyr

H8209 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root שפ״ר to be beautiful, to be fair, to be pleasing

Definition

A feminine adjective meaning 'beautiful', 'pleasant', or 'splendid' in appearance or quality. Used predominantly to describe something attractive, especially in visual or external respect, but can also extend to connotations of suitability, goodness, or excellence, depending on the context.

Semantic Range

beautiful, fair, handsome, pleasant, splendid, excellent, proper

Root / Etymology

Aramaic form, intensive of a root corresponding to Hebrew שָׁפִיר (shapir), itself derived from the Semitic root שׁ־פ־ר meaning 'to be beautiful, fair, pleasing.' The Hebrew root conveys the sense of beauty or good condition; this Aramaic adjective reflects an intensification of that quality.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שַׁפִּיר occurs in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel 2:31), where it describes objects, visions, or persons as handsome or attractive. Its usage is limited to literary Aramaic, not standard Biblical Hebrew, though it shares a cognate and general meaning with Hebrew שָׁפִיר (shaphir). The adjective's sense is largely physical, but, like the root in other Semitic languages (see Akkadian šapāru, Ugaritic špr), it can imply abstract 'excellence' or 'goodness.' In post-biblical Aramaic and in rabbinic usage, the word can also carry a metaphorical sense of 'proper' or 'right.' Standard English translations as 'beautiful' generally capture its meaning in context, but may miss its occasional broader sense of 'excellent' or 'proper.' Unlike the Hebrew term יָפֶה (yafeh, 'beautiful'), which is more widespread, שַׁפִּיר is specific to Aramaic passages and carries slightly different connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) intensive of a form corresponding to שָׁפִיר; beautiful; fair.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שפר (š-p-r) — beauty, fairness, pleasantness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8208 שָׁפִיר Beautiful-Town
H8231 שָׁפַר she became splendid
H8232 שְׁפַר he was pleasing
H8233 שֶׁפֶר beauty
H8236 שִׁפְרָה Fair-one

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8209-01 שַׁפִּיר֙ shapir AAamsa beautiful splendid 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8209-01 Daniel 4:9 שַׁפִּיר֙ shapir AAamsa beautiful splendid
H8209-01 Daniel 4:18 שַׁפִּיר֙ shapir AAamsa beautiful splendid
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