חָפֵר

châphêr /khaw-fare'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (perhaps rather the same as חָפַר through the idea of detection)
Meaningto blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach
KJV usagebe ashamed, be confounded, be brought to confusion (unto shame), come (be put to) shame, bring reproach.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châphêr, represented by H2659, describes a profound sense of shame or disappointment. Rooted in the idea of blushing, it figuratively means to be ashamed, confounded, or brought to confusion. It appears 17 times in 17 unique verses, often depicting the ultimate end of those who oppose God or the righteous.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2659 is frequently used in prayers for divine justice. The psalmist repeatedly calls for enemies who devise hurt H7451 to be "brought to confusion" Psalms 35:4. The term also describes the futility of false prophecy, where seers H2374 and diviners H7080 are "confounded" because there is no answer H4617 from God H430 Micah 3:7. The concept is applied to creation itself, where in a display of God's supreme authority, the "moon shall be confounded" H2659 Isaiah 24:23. Shame is also the result of personal wickedness, as a son H1121 who wastes his father H1 "bringeth reproach" H2659 Proverbs 19:26.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of shame and confusion:

  • H954 bûwsh (to be ashamed): This is the most common parallel to châphêr, often appearing in the same verse to intensify the meaning. For example, a mother H517 is described as "sore confounded" H954 and "ashamed" H2659 in the face of national judgment Jeremiah 50:12.
  • H3637 kâlam (be confounded, be put to confusion): This term also emphasizes the disgrace and humiliation associated with being ashamed. In a promise of restoration, God assures His people they will not be "confounded" H3637 nor "put to shame" H2659 Isaiah 54:4.
  • H1245 bâqash (to search out, seek for): This verb often describes the actions of those who end up confounded. Many psalms pray that those who seek H1245 after the psalmist's soul H5315 would be the ones confounded H2659 and ashamed H954 (Psalms 40:14, Psalms 70:2).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2659 is significant, highlighting themes of justice and divine sovereignty.

  • Divine Judgment: The word is a recurring descriptor for the fate of the wicked H7563 and those who oppose God. Their plans are frustrated, and they are ultimately "brought unto shame" H2659 Psalms 71:24. This applies to individuals who rejoice H8056 at another's hurt H7451 Psalms 35:26 and to nations that stand in opposition to God's purposes.
  • The Consequence of Misplaced Trust: To be confounded is the result of placing hope in anything other than God. Those who trusted H982 in earthly things "were ashamed" H2659 Job 6:20, and those who chose H977 idolatrous gardens H1593 would be "confounded" H2659 for them Isaiah 1:29.
  • Vindication of the Righteous: In contrast to the wicked, those who look H5027 to the LORD are promised that "their faces were not ashamed" H2659 Psalms 34:5. The confounding of enemies serves as the vindication of the righteous and a sign of God's protection.

Summary

In summary, H2659 is not merely a term for embarrassment but a powerful descriptor of divine judgment and the consequences of rebellion against God. It signifies the complete frustration and disappointment that befalls the proud, the wicked, and the idolatrous. From the prayers of a psalmist for deliverance Psalms 35:4 to the cosmic humbling of the sun and moon Isaiah 24:23, châphêr illustrates the principle that all who stand against the LORD will ultimately be brought to confusion, while those who trust in Him will never be put to shame.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 17 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 5×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 17 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Psalms (7 verses).

1
Job
7
Psalms
2
Proverbs
4
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
1
Micah

Verse Explorer

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