from an unused root (meaning to liquify); asphalt (from its tendency to soften in the sun); pitch.
Transliteration:zepheth
Pronunciation:zeh'-feth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun zepheth (`{{H2203}}`) denotes "pitch" or "asphalt." Its etymological root, though unused in extant Hebrew, is understood to convey the concept of "to liquify" or "to soften." This etymological insight is crucial, as it points to the inherent characteristic of the substance: its viscous nature and its tendency to become pliable or molten, particularly under heat, such as the sun. Thus, zepheth refers to a specific, tar-like material known for its adhesive and waterproofing properties, derived from its capacity to soften and flow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word zepheth (`{{H2203}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance providing a distinct contextual application that illuminates its semantic range and symbolic potential.
1. **[[Exodus 2:3]]**: In the narrative of Moses' infancy, his mother, Jochebed, prepares a papyrus basket to conceal him from Pharaoh's decree. The text states, "She daubed it with bitumen (חֵמָר, chemar `{{H2564}}`) and pitch (זֶפֶת, zepheth `{{H2203}}`)." Here, zepheth is employed as a practical sealant, used in conjunction with bitumen to render the basket watertight, enabling it to float on the Nile River. This context highlights zepheth's mundane yet vital function in ancient craftsmanship, specifically for waterproofing and preservation. The use of such a common material underscores the human ingenuity employed in a desperate act of faith, ultimately serving God's providential plan for the deliverer of Israel.
2. **[[Isaiah 34:9]]**: This passage is part of a prophetic oracle describing the Lord's judgment upon Edom. The prophet declares, "Its streams shall be turned into pitch (זֶפֶת, zepheth `{{H2203}}`), and its soil into sulfur; its land shall become burning pitch." In this context, zepheth is used metaphorically to depict utter desolation and intense, unquenchable destruction. The imagery evokes a land consumed by a sticky, fiery substance, symbolizing the severity and clinging nature of divine wrath. The flammability and viscous quality of pitch contribute to the terrifying vision of a landscape transformed into an inferno, a testament to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Zepheth (`{{H2203}}`) is closely associated with other terms for similar materials and broader concepts:
* **`{{H2564}}` חֵמָר (chemar)**: This Hebrew word, often translated "bitumen" or "slime," appears alongside zepheth in [[Exodus 2:3]] and is also used for the mortar in the construction of the Tower of Babel ([[Genesis 11:3]]). Both zepheth and chemar refer to petroleum-based substances used for sealing and construction, indicating a shared semantic field of ancient building materials.
* **Waterproofing and Sealing**: The practical application of zepheth in [[Exodus 2:3]] connects it to the broader concepts of containment, protection, and preservation.
* **Destruction and Judgment**: Its metaphorical use in [[Isaiah 34:9]] links it to the themes of divine wrath, consuming fire, and complete desolation, often associated with purification or punitive action.
* **Materiality and Craft**: As a specific material, zepheth falls within the domain of ancient technologies and the properties of the physical world.
### Theological Significance
The dual applications of zepheth (`{{H2203}}`) in the biblical text offer profound theological insights:
1. **Divine Providence and Preservation**: In the story of Moses, zepheth is a humble, earthly material, yet it becomes an instrument in the hand of God for the preservation of life. Jochebed's use of pitch to waterproof the basket is a human act of ingenuity and faith, but it is ultimately subsumed within God's overarching plan to save Moses and, through him, deliver Israel. This highlights how God often uses ordinary means and human agency to accomplish His extraordinary redemptive purposes. The physical properties of zepheth – its ability to seal and protect – become a tangible symbol of divine care.
2. **Divine Judgment and Consuming Wrath**: In Isaiah's prophecy, zepheth transforms into a symbol of divine judgment. The image of a land turning into burning pitch underscores the intensity, inescapability, and destructive power of God's wrath against sin and rebellion. This serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and justice, where the very elements of creation can become agents of His righteous indignation, consuming wickedness.
3. **The Ambivalence of Creation**: Zepheth beautifully illustrates the theological concept that created matter, in itself, is morally neutral but can be employed by God for vastly different purposes—both for salvation and for judgment. The same substance that protects the nascent deliverer of Israel can also become the fiery instrument of divine retribution against a rebellious nation. This reflects God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to use any aspect of it to fulfill His will, whether for blessing or for curse, for life or for destruction.
### Summary
Zepheth (`{{H2203}}`) is a Hebrew noun designating "pitch" or "asphalt," derived from a root implying "to liquify" or "soften." Its two biblical occurrences provide a rich theological tapestry. In [[Exodus 2:3]], it functions as a practical waterproofing agent, instrumental in the preservation of the infant Moses, thereby symbolizing divine providence and the use of human means in God's redemptive plan. Conversely, in [[Isaiah 34:9]], zepheth serves as a powerful metaphor for the consuming fire of divine judgment, depicting utter desolation and the unyielding nature of God's wrath against wickedness. Associated with chemar (`{{H2564}}`), zepheth ultimately underscores the theological truth that God, in His sovereign wisdom and justice, can employ the very elements of creation for both purposes of life and instruments of judgment, revealing His multifaceted character.
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