שָׂרָף
𐤔𐤓𐤐
sârâph
H8314 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
שָׂרָף (sârâph) primarily denotes a "fiery serpent"—a venomous serpent whose bite induces burning pain—and, by extension, is also used to describe a class of otherworldly beings portrayed as "burning ones" or "seraphim" in certain visionary and poetic texts. In naturalistic contexts, the term refers to highly dangerous desert serpents; in visionary or liturgical contexts, it denotes celestial beings associated with fire or divine presence.
Semantic Range
venomous (fiery) serpent, burning sensation, coppery color, celestial burning being, seraphim (celestial beings associated with fire)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שָׂרַף (ś-r-p), meaning 'to burn.' The noun form שָׂרָף likely developed from the root sense of burning, either directly referencing the burning sensation caused by the bite of certain venomous snakes, or, in symbolic/visionary usage, indicating beings marked by fiery or radiant properties. The link to serpents may involve their coppery or fiery appearance, while seraphim as celestial beings evoke the image of burning or consuming holiness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Pentateuch (e.g., Num 21:6,8; Deut 8:15; Isa 14:29, 30:6), שָׂרָף denotes highly venomous snakes encountered in desert regions, with particular emphasis on their deadly, burning bite rather than any mythological connotation. These occurrences align with the broader ancient Near Eastern motif of dangerous desert serpents. In the book of Isaiah (6:2,6), the plural שְׂרָפִים refers to fiery, winged celestial beings in the prophet's visionary encounter; here, they are depicted as attending the divine throne, distinct from other angelic types and associated directly with the act of burning or purification. English translations sometimes conflate 'serpent' and 'seraph,' but in Hebrew, the connection is built on the root meaning of burning. The later rabbinic, Christian, and artistic pictures of "seraphim" as a type of angelic being have their origins in this biblical usage, but the biblical text emphasizes their fiery nature and function more than later angelological systems.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂרַף; burning, i.e. (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color); fiery (serpent), seraph.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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שרף (ś-r-p) — to burn, consume with fire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4955 | מִשְׂרָפָה | burnings |
| H5636 | סַרְפָּד | the burning-weed |
| H8316 | שְׂרֵפָה | the burning |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8314-02 |
שָׂרָ֔ף | saraf | HNcmsa |
a fiery serpent | he burned | 3 |
H8314-01 |
הַ/שְּׂרָפִ֔ים | haserafim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the fiery ones | the burning ones | 2 |
H8314-04 |
וְ/שָׂרָ֣ף | vesaraf | HC/Ncmsa |
and fiery serpent | and he burned | 1 |
H8314-03 |
שְׂרָפִ֨ים | serafim | HNcmpa |
seraphim | burning ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8314-01 |
Numbers 21:6 | הַ/שְּׂרָפִ֔ים | haserafim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the fiery ones | the burning ones |
H8314-02 |
Numbers 21:8 | שָׂרָ֔ף | saraf | HNcmsa |
fiery serpent | he burned |
H8314-02 |
Deuteronomy 8:15 | שָׂרָף֙ | saraf | HNcmsa |
fiery | he burned |
H8314-03 |
Isaiah 6:2 | שְׂרָפִ֨ים | serafim | HNcmpa |
seraphim | burning ones |
H8314-01 |
Isaiah 6:6 | הַ/שְּׂרָפִ֔ים | haserafim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the seraphim | the burning ones |
H8314-02 |
Isaiah 14:29 | שָׂרָ֥ף | saraf | HNcmsa |
a fiery serpent | he burned |
H8314-04 |
Isaiah 30:6 | וְ/שָׂרָ֣ף | vesaraf | HC/Ncmsa |
and fiery serpent | and he burned |