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שֶׁפַע

𐤔𐤐𐤏

shephaʻ

H8228 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁפע to abound, to overflow, to be plentiful

Definition

A plentiful supply or abundance, especially in the sense of lavish material resources or great quantity; used to denote the state of being amply supplied, the overflow or full measure of something, typically applied to material goods or blessings. Its semantic range extends from the concrete image of physical abundance (such as wealth, food, land fertility) to the more general notion of opulence or profusion.

Semantic Range

abundance, profusion, overflowing quantity, ample provision, copiousness, bountiful supply, lavishness, richness

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁפַע (sh-p-ʿ), meaning 'to abound' or 'to overflow.' The noun form שֶׁפַע draws on this root sense of overflowing quantity to denote abundance or plenty. The root is attested primarily in noun forms; the verbal form is rare or perhaps unattested in Biblical Hebrew, possibly contributing to Strong's 'unused root' characterization. Cognate roots in other Semitic languages support the 'abundance/overflow' sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שֶׁפַע appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Job 22:11, Psalm 36:9, Isaiah 66:12), always in contexts emphasizing abundant provision, blessing, or well-being, often in poetic or prophetic passages describing future prosperity, divine favor, or an outpouring of riches. The term leans toward superfluity or more-than-sufficient supply, which may sometimes be translated as 'bounty,' 'overflow,' or 'prosperity.' The word contrasts with related terms denoting 'wealth' (e.g., עֹשֶׁר, hon) by emphasizing sheer quantity or luxuriant provision more than the idea of amassed possessions or property. In later periods, similar nouns (especially in post-biblical Hebrew) maintain this sense of copiousness. English translations vary, sometimes using 'abundance,' 'plenty,' or 'riches,' but none fully capture the word's concrete overtone of overflowing or lavish supply. The concept of 'resources,' as in the Strong's gloss, is reasonable but somewhat modern; Shephaʻ more often denotes the bountiful state itself than the means or assets enabling it. The term is never used as a designation for a particular group or individual, and does not carry the technical sense of 'wealth' as social standing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to abound; resources; abundance.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁפע (sh-p-ʿ) — to abound, to overflow, to be plentiful

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8229 שִׁפְעָה from abundance of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8228-01 שֶׁ֤פַע shefa HNcmsc abundance overflowing abundance of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8228-01 Deuteronomy 33:19 שֶׁ֤פַע shefa HNcmsc abundance overflowing abundance of
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