שָׂרַף
𐤔𐤓𐤐
sâraph
H8313 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To burn, consume by fire, or destroy with fire; used both literally for the act of burning objects (such as offerings, structures, or refuse) and metaphorically for total destruction or judgment. In causative forms, it indicates causing something or someone to be set on fire or destroyed by fire.
Semantic Range
to burn, to be set on fire, to kindle, to consume or destroy by fire, to purify by fire, be burned up, to burn offerings, to burn in punishment, be utterly consumed
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂרף, meaning 'to burn, consume by fire.' The verbal form denotes the process or act of burning, while derived nouns (e.g., שְׂרָפִים seraphim) relate metaphorically or symbolically to burning or fiery beings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׂרַף appears frequently to describe the ritual burning of offerings, the destruction of towns, gates, or individuals, especially in judicial or punitive contexts (e.g., Levitical law regarding punishment by fire, or the burning of idols). It is distinct from other Hebrew words for burning (such as בער), as שָׂרַף more commonly connotes complete destruction by fire rather than simply lighting or kindling. The root also gives rise to seraphim (שְׂרָפִים), celestial beings described as 'fiery ones,' though the connection is metaphorical. Over time, the word retained its literal sense but also gained associations with the concept of utter destruction or purging. English translations often use 'burn,' 'consume,' or 'destroy by fire,' but these may miss the depth of the term's totalizing and often judicial connotations, particularly in priestly and prophetic texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire; (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂרף (ś-r-p) — to burn, to consume by fire, to destroy by fire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4956 | מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם | Burning-Places of the Waters |
| H8314 | שָׂרָף | and he burned |
| H8315 | שָׂרָף | and he burned |
Word Forms
46 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8313-05 |
שָׂרַ֔ף | saraf | HVqp3ms |
he burned | he burned | 14 |
H8313-35 |
וַ/יִּשְׂרֹ֣ף | vayiserof | HC/Vqw3ms |
and burned | and he burned | 11 |
H8313-10 |
שָׂרְפ֖וּ | sarefu | HVqp3cp |
they burned | they burned | 7 |
H8313-33 |
וַ/יִּשְׂרְפ֤וּ | vayiserefu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and burned | and they burned | 6 |
H8313-38 |
וְ/שָׂרַ֥ף | vesaraf | HC/Vqp3ms |
and burn | and he burned | 5 |
H8313-42 |
יִשָּׂרֵֽף | yisaref | HVNi3ms |
it shall be burned | he will be burned | 5 |
H8313-28 |
וּ/שְׂרָפ֑וּ/הָ | userafuha | HC/Vqq3cp/Sp3fs |
and burn it | and they burned her | 4 |
H8313-44 |
יִשְׂרְפ֤וּ | yiserefu | HVqi3mp |
shall be burned | they will burn | 4 |
H8313-20 |
תִּשָּׂרֵֽף | tisaref | HVNi3fs |
be-burned | she will be burned | 4 |
H8313-23 |
תִּשְׂרֹ֣ף | tiserof | HVqi2ms |
burn | you will burn | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
117 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8313-37 |
Genesis 11:3 | וְ/נִשְׂרְפָ֖ה | veniserefah | HC/Vqh1cp |
and burn | let us burn up |
H8313-41 |
Genesis 38:24 | וְ/תִשָּׂרֵֽף | vetisaref | HC/VNi3fs |
and let her be burned | and she will be burned up |
H8313-24 |
Exodus 12:10 | תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ | tiserofu | HVqi2mp |
you shall burn | you will burn |
H8313-23 |
Exodus 29:14 | תִּשְׂרֹ֣ף | tiserof | HVqi2ms |
you shall burn | you will burn |
H8313-39 |
Exodus 29:34 | וְ/שָׂרַפְתָּ֤ | vesarafeta | HC/Vqq2ms |
then you shall burn | and you burned |
H8313-35 |
Exodus 32:20 | וַ/יִּשְׂרֹ֣ף | vayiserof | HC/Vqw3ms |
and burned | and he burned |
H8313-38 |
Leviticus 4:12 | וְ/שָׂרַ֥ף | vesaraf | HC/Vqp3ms |
and burn | and he burned |
H8313-42 |
Leviticus 4:12 | יִשָּׂרֵֽף | yisaref | HVNi3ms |
it shall be burned | he will be burned |
H8313-38 |
Leviticus 4:21 | וְ/שָׂרַ֣ף | vesaraf | HC/Vqq3ms |
and burn | and he burned |
H8313-05 |
Leviticus 4:21 | שָׂרַ֔ף | saraf | HVqp3ms |
he burned | he burned |