probably of Egyptian origin; a reed, especially the papyrus; flag, Red (sea), weed. Compare סוּף.
Transliteration:çûwph
Pronunciation:soof
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5488 (סוּף, *çûwph*) carries a dual semantic range, primarily denoting an aquatic plant and, by extension, forming part of a significant geographical designation. Its base definition suggests an Egyptian origin, pointing to its likely identification with papyrus or other marsh reeds prevalent in the Nile Delta and surrounding regions.
1. **Aquatic Plant:** In its most literal sense, H5488 refers to various types of reeds, rushes, or weeds that grow in watery environments. This includes the papyrus plant (*Cyperus papyrus*), which was crucial for writing materials and boat construction in ancient Egypt. The term evokes images of marshlands, riverbanks, and stagnant waters where such vegetation thrives.
2. **Geographical Designation (יַם סוּף - *Yam Suph*):** This is the most prominent usage, where H5488 forms the second element in the construct phrase *Yam Suph*, traditionally translated as "Red Sea." While "Red Sea" is the widely accepted English rendering, the literal meaning is "Sea of Reeds" or "Reed Sea." This designation is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of the Exodus, as it specifies the body of water through which Israel miraculously passed. The presence of reeds in this region, particularly in the northern gulfs or marshy areas connected to them, lends credence to the literal interpretation of "Sea of Reeds."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H5488 highlight both its botanical and geographical significance within the biblical text.
As an aquatic plant:
* [[Exodus 2:3]]: Moses' mother places him in an ark "among the reeds (*bassooph*) by the river's bank." This poignant scene underscores the humble and natural setting of his concealment, utilizing the dense vegetation of the Nile's edge.
* [[Isaiah 19:6]]: In a prophecy concerning Egypt, the prophet declares that "the reeds (*çûwph*) and rushes will rot away." Here, H5488 symbolizes the natural resources and, by extension, the prosperity and stability of Egypt, which are prophesied to diminish.
* [[Jonah 2:5]]: Jonah, in the belly of the great fish, describes the "weeds (*çûwph*) wrapped around my head." This vivid imagery conveys his desperate situation, entangled and submerged in the depths, far from the light of life.
As part of *Yam Suph* (Red Sea):
* [[Exodus 10:19]]: The Lord drives the locusts into the "Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," demonstrating divine control over nature to deliver Israel from the plague.
* [[Exodus 13:18]]: God leads Israel "by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," setting the stage for the miraculous crossing that defines their liberation.
* [[Exodus 15:4]]: In the Song of the Sea, Moses declares that Pharaoh's chariots and army were cast into the "Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," celebrating God's decisive victory. This reference is central to Israel's understanding of their salvation.
* [[Numbers 14:25]]: Due to their rebellion, the Israelites are commanded to "turn back into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," signifying a reversal of their journey toward the promised land and a period of judgment.
* [[Deuteronomy 1:40]], [[Deuteronomy 2:1]]: Moses recounts the wilderness wanderings, repeatedly mentioning the journey "by the way of the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," emphasizing the long and arduous path God led them on.
* [[Joshua 2:10]]: Rahab tells the spies how the Lord "dried up the water of the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)" before the Israelites, acknowledging God's power and confirming the historical memory of the event.
* [[1 Kings 9:26]]: Solomon builds a fleet of ships at Ezion-Geber, "which is beside Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," indicating the sea's significance as a trade route.
* [[Psalm 106:7, 9, 22]]: The psalmist recalls God's wonders at the "Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," highlighting Israel's forgetfulness and God's enduring faithfulness despite their rebellion.
* [[Nehemiah 9:9]]: The Levites' prayer of confession recalls how God "heard their cry at the Red Sea (*Yam Suph*)," underscoring His responsiveness to His people in distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of H5488 is enriched by its relationship with other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts.
* `{{H3220}}` (יַם, *yam*): This word means "sea" or "large body of water." Its combination with H5488 to form *Yam Suph* is essential, as it denotes a specific and highly significant aquatic location.
* `{{H260}}` (אַגְמוֹן, *'agmon*): This term also refers to a "rush" or "reed," often with connotations of weakness or being easily broken ([[Isaiah 58:5]]). While distinct, it shares the semantic field of marsh plants with H5488.
* `{{H7070}}` (קָנֶה, *qaneh*): A more general term for "reed," "stalk," or "cane," used in various contexts from measuring rods to branches ([[Ezekiel 40:5]], [[Isaiah 43:24]]).
* **Deliverance and Salvation:** The most profound concept associated with H5488 is divine deliverance, specifically the Exodus from Egypt. The "Sea of Reeds" becomes the stage for God's mighty act of salvation, separating His people from their oppressors.
* **Wilderness Journey:** The "Red Sea" marks both the beginning and, at times, the redirection of Israel's wilderness wanderings, symbolizing a period of testing and formation under God's guidance.
* **Fragility and Dependence:** When H5488 refers to reeds, it often evokes their inherent fragility and dependence on water, contrasting with the steadfast power of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5488 is deeply intertwined with the foundational narrative of Israel's redemption. The "Sea of Reeds" is not merely a geographical marker but a theological locus:
* **The Power of God in Salvation:** The crossing of the *Yam Suph* is the quintessential demonstration of Yahweh's omnipotence and His commitment to His covenant people. It is an act of creation *ex nihilo* on a grand scale, where dry land appears in the midst of water, enabling life and crushing opposition. This event becomes the benchmark for future acts of divine intervention and a perpetual source of praise.
* **Covenant Fidelity:** God's intervention at the Red Sea underscores His faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He hears the cries of His enslaved people and acts decisively on their behalf, establishing a precedent for His relationship with Israel.
* **Symbol of New Beginning:** The passage through the *Yam Suph* signifies a decisive break from bondage and the initiation of a new life as a free people, set apart for God. It is a corporate "baptism" (cf. [[1 Corinthians 10:2]]), marking their transition from servitude to covenant relationship.
* **Judgment on Oppression:** The engulfment of Pharaoh's army in the *Yam Suph* serves as a powerful testament to God's justice against those who oppress His people and resist His will.
* **Human Frailty and Divine Provision:** The usage of H5488 as "reeds" in other contexts (e.g., [[Jonah 2:5]], [[Isaiah 19:6]]) subtly contrasts human weakness and vulnerability with God's steadfastness. Even in places of desolation or entrapment, God's sovereignty prevails.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5488 (סוּף, *çûwph*) functions primarily in two significant ways within the biblical text: as a designation for various aquatic reeds or marsh plants, and most notably, as the second element in the phrase *Yam Suph*, "Sea of Reeds," traditionally translated "Red Sea." While its botanical meaning highlights natural fragility and environments, its theological weight is overwhelmingly concentrated in the "Sea of Reeds." This body of water is the iconic site of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, serving as a foundational event for Israel's identity and a perpetual testament to Yahweh's power, covenant fidelity, and ultimate salvation. The H5488 thus points both to the humble elements of creation and to the grand stage of divine intervention in human history.
TRV