שַׁפְרוּר
𐤔𐤐𐤓𐤅𐤓
shaphrûwr
H8237 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A decorated or embellished tent or canopy, often associated with royalty or ceremonial gatherings; typically refers to an ornamental structure, such as a royal pavilion, designed for beauty and display in public or festive settings. The word expresses the notion of splendid adornment, especially in the context of textiles hung or spread out for a distinguished person or occasion.
Semantic Range
ornamental tent, decorated canopy, royal pavilion, splendid temporary shelter, ceremonial textile structure
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁפַר (sh-p-r), meaning 'to be beautiful, fair, splendid.' שַׁפְרוּר (shaphrûwr) carries the sense of something made splendid or being an object of beauty, in this case an ornate pavilion or canopy. The noun is formed from the root with an intensive or stative nuance, signifying something characterized by beauty or splendor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׁפְרוּר appears in poetic contexts (e.g. Jeremiah 43:10) to denote a royal or high-status pavilion—a portable shelter or ceremonial tent indicative of the presence of a king, dignitary, or deity. Its use signifies more than utilitarian shelter, referring to a symbol of honor, status, and splendor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such canopies were often set up during military campaigns, public festivals, or upon the arrival of sovereigns. Later translations, such as the KJV, reflect the visual magnificence associated with the term by rendering it 'royal pavilion,' yet the word evokes a broader sense of splendid textile structures, not limited strictly to royal use. The root שָׁפַר is relatively rare in biblical usage but consistently relates to beauty and ornamentation; in post-biblical Hebrew, derivatives of the root continue to carry senses of embellishment and improvement. No evidence supports its use for religious buildings or shrines; rather, its focus remains on symbolic and ceremonial temporary shelters. The term's nuance distinguishes it from more utilitarian words for tent (אֹהֶל) or dwelling (מִשְׁכָּן), highlighting its function as an object of display and honor.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁפַר; splendid, i.e. a tapestry or canopy; royal pavilion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁפר (sh-p-r) — to be beautiful, to adorn, to make splendid
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7782 | שׁוֹפָר | with the ram-horn |
| H8234 | שֶׁפֶר | Beautiful-Place |
| H8235 | שִׁפְרָה | Shiphrah |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8237-02 |
שפרור/ו | shfrvrv | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his canopy | his splendid pavilion | 1 |
H8237-01 |
שַׁפְרִיר֖/וֹ | shaferiro | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his glorious | his splendid pavilion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8237-02 |
Jeremiah 43:10 | שפרור/ו | shfrvrv | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his canopy | his splendid pavilion |
H8237-01 |
Jeremiah 43:10 | שַׁפְרִיר֖/וֹ | shaferiro | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his glorious | his splendid pavilion |