English · KJV
H2658

חָפַר

châphar /khaw-far'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore
KJV usagedig, paw, search out, seek.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of châphar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châphar, represented by H2658, is a primitive root that means to pry into, delve, or explore. It is used to describe actions such as digging, pawing, searching out, or seeking. It appears 22 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible, encompassing a range of both literal and figurative activities.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2658 is most frequently associated with the act of digging for water. Isaac's servants are repeatedly described as having digged H2658 wells H875 as they moved through the land, an act essential for life and sustenance Genesis 26:19. The word is also used in a military or intelligence context, where spies are sent to search out H2658 the country of Jericho (Joshua 2:2, Joshua 2:3). In a more negative sense, H2658 describes the malicious act of digging a pit H953 as a trap for another, with the digger often falling into their own creation Psalms 7:15. Figuratively, it conveys intense desire, as in Job's longing for death, for which he would dig H2658 more than for hidden treasures Job 3:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the meaning of H2658 in its various contexts:

  • H875 bᵉʼêr (a pit; especially a well): This word is the most common object of the action of digging. The repeated effort to dig H2658 a well H875 underscores the critical importance of water and provision in the patriarch's journey Genesis 21:30.
  • H7845 shachath (a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction): This term often appears as the malicious result of digging. Enemies are described as having digged H2658 a pit H7845 for the psalmist's soul H5315, highlighting the use of this action for destructive purposes Psalms 35:7.
  • H776 ʼerets (the earth (at large, or partitively a land)): This word provides the setting for the action. Whether digging wells in the land H776 Genesis 26:22 or searching out a country H776 Deuteronomy 1:22, the action of H2658 is grounded in the physical world.
  • H4301 maṭmôwn (a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable): This word is used to create a powerful metaphor for intense seeking. Job's desire for death is so strong that he would dig H2658 for it more eagerly than for hid treasures H4301 Job 3:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2658 is found in the intent and outcome of the action.

  • Perseverance and Provision: The repeated digging of wells by Isaac, despite contention, culminates in a place he names Rehoboth, where the LORD "hath made room for us" Genesis 26:22. This connects the physical act of digging to faith, perseverance, and receiving God's blessing.
  • Moral Consequence: The principle that one who diggeth H2658 a pit will fall into it is a recurring theme (Ecclesiastes 10:8, Psalms 7:15). This illustrates a fundamental biblical concept of divine justice, where evil schemes become self-destructive.
  • Exploration and Seeking: The act of searching out a land Deuteronomy 1:22 or digging for something of great value points to the human drive to explore and seek. This physical action serves as a picture of the deeper spiritual quest for things of ultimate worth or for understanding God's will.

Summary

In summary, H2658 is a dynamic verb that moves beyond the simple act of digging earth. It illustrates a spectrum of human motivation and effort. It can represent a life-sustaining act of faith, a malicious plot destined to fail, an investigative search for knowledge, or a desperate yearning for something hidden. Through this single word, Scripture shows how the same physical effort can lead to either divine provision or self-inflicted ruin, depending on the heart's intent.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חָפְרוּ
  • יַּחְפְּרוּ
  • יַּחְפֹּר
  • חָפַרְתָּה
  • חְפֹּר
  • יַחְפְּרוּ
  • אֶחְפֹּר
  • יַחְפְּרוּ
  • חֹפֵר
  • חָפַרְתִּי
  • חָפַר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H875 בְּאֵר from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well. H953 בּוֹר from בּוּר (in the sense of בֹּאר); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison); cistern, dungeon, fountai H7845 שַׁחַת from שׁוּחַ; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction; corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit. H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H776 אֶרֶץ from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, e H4301 מַטְמוֹן or מַטְמֹן; or מַטְמֻן; from טָמַן; a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money; hidden ri

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis (7 verses); never once in the other 30.

7
Genesis
1
Exodus
1
Numbers
2
Deuteronomy
2
Joshua
4
Job
2
Psalms
1
Ecclesiastes
1
Jeremiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.