a primitive root; properly, to become pale, i.e. (by implication) to pine after; also to fear; (have) desire, be greedy, long, sore.
Transliteration:kâçaph
Pronunciation:kaw-saf'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H3700 (כָּסַף, *kâçaph*) is a primitive root whose fundamental meaning is "to become pale." From this primary physical manifestation, the word extends semantically to describe intense emotional states that might cause such paleness. These derived meanings include:
1. **To pine after/long for:** This is the most common usage, denoting a strong yearning or fervent desire for something or someone, often to the point of physical distress or exhaustion. The paleness is an outward sign of this intense inward emotion.
2. **To desire/be greedy:** When the longing is directed towards material possessions, particularly money, the term takes on a nuance of covetousness or avarice. This connects directly to the noun `{{H3701}}` (כֶּסֶף, *kêsaph*), meaning "silver" or "money."
3. **To fear/tremble:** In some contexts, the "paleness" can signify dread or terror, indicating an intense emotional response to something frightening.
The semantic range of H3700 thus captures a spectrum of powerful human emotions, from spiritual yearning to material covetousness and even fear, all originating from a visceral sense of intense feeling.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H3700 appears relatively few times in the Old Testament, but its occurrences are significant, illustrating its various shades of meaning.
* **Intense Longing/Pining:**
* In [[Psalm 84:2]], the psalmist declares, "My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD." Here, the Niphal form (נִכְסְפָה, *nikhs'fâh*) vividly portrays an overwhelming spiritual yearning for God's presence, a longing so profound it leads to physical weakness. This is a desire for divine communion.
* [[Genesis 31:30]] records Laban's words to Jacob: "And now you have surely gone because you longed greatly for your father's house." The Piel form (נִכְסַפְתָּ, *nikhsaf'tâ*) here denotes a strong, understandable desire for one's familial home, highlighting a natural human attachment.
* [[Job 14:15]] presents a profound theological statement from Job regarding God: "You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands." The Piel form (תִּכְסֹף, *tik'sōf*) here attributes a divine "longing" or "desire" to God Himself, indicating His deep affection and care for humanity, His creation.
* **Desire/Greed (with potential negative connotation):**
* While not explicitly used to mean "greedy" in a condemnatory sense, the connection to `{{H3701}}` (silver/money) is inherent in the root. The verb describes the intense desire that could lead to greed. For instance, the general sense of "desire" can, depending on the object, imply a covetous longing.
* [[Isaiah 21:4]] offers a challenging usage: "My heart pounds, horror has appalled me; the twilight I desired has been turned into trembling for me." The Niphal form (נִכְסְפָה, *nikhs'fâh*) here describes a longing for the evening, perhaps for rest or security, which instead turns to terror. This demonstrates how intense desire can flip into its opposite, fear, or how an anticipated longing can be tragically unfulfilled.
The different verbal stems (Piel for active, intensive longing; Niphal for passive, internal pining or being desired) further nuance the expression of this deep emotion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant cognate to H3700 is the noun `{{H3701}}` (כֶּסֶף, *kêsaph*), which means "silver" or "money." This connection is illuminating:
* **Silver as a "pale" metal:** The primary meaning of the root "to become pale" directly links to the appearance of silver.
* **Silver as an object of desire:** More profoundly, the intense human "longing" or "desire" (from H3700) is often directed towards silver or money (`{{H3701}}`), highlighting the potential for this natural human emotion to become misdirected into avarice. This semantic link underscores a biblical warning against the love of money.
Other related concepts and words include:
* `{{H2530}}` (חָמַד, *ḥāmad*): "to desire," "covet," often used in a negative sense, as in the Tenth Commandment.
* `{{H183}}` (אָוָה, *'āvāh*): "to desire," "crave," often used for physical or natural appetites.
* `{{H7521}}` (רָצָה, *rātsâ*): "to be pleased with," "accept," "desire," often in the context of divine favor or acceptance of an offering.
* **Concepts:** Yearning, spiritual hunger, covetousness, material attachment, dread, intense emotion.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3700 lies in its portrayal of profound desire, both human and divine, and its implications for spiritual life.
1. **The Nature of Human Longing:** The word highlights humanity's innate capacity for deep yearning. [[Psalm 84:2]] elevates this longing to a spiritual plane, depicting a soul consumed by desire for God's presence. This sacred longing is a hallmark of true piety, a yearning for ultimate satisfaction found only in the Divine. Conversely, the implicit connection to `{{H3701}}` serves as a subtle warning against the misdirection of this inherent desire towards transient material wealth, which can lead to spiritual emptiness or "paleness" rather than fulfillment.
2. **Divine Affection and Commitment:** [[Job 14:15]] is a striking theological statement, attributing "longing" to God Himself. This portrays a God who is not detached but deeply invested in His creation, eagerly desiring fellowship with the "work of His hands." It speaks to God's steadfast love and His active pursuit of humanity, even in its fallen state. This divine longing underscores His redemptive purpose and covenant faithfulness.
3. **The Spectrum of Emotion:** The root's connection to "paleness" and "fear" (as seen in [[Isaiah 21:4]]) reminds us that intense desire, when unfulfilled or directed towards an uncertain future, can turn into dread. This illustrates the fragility of human hopes when not anchored in God, contrasting with the secure longing for the Lord's courts.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H3700 (כָּסַף, *kâçaph*), fundamentally meaning "to become pale," powerfully conveys states of intense emotional desire. Its semantic range encompasses fervent longing, spiritual yearning, and even dread. Most notably, it describes the soul's profound desire for God, as seen in [[Psalm 84:2]], and remarkably, God's own longing for His creation in [[Job 14:15]]. The crucial connection to `{{H3701}}` (silver/money) implicitly warns against the dangers of misdirected desire, where the yearning for material wealth can overshadow spiritual pursuits. Thus, H3700 serves as a poignant descriptor of the deepest human affections and fears, reflecting both our capacity for divine communion and our vulnerability to worldly attachments.
TRV