English · KJV
H5587

סָעִף

çâʻiph /saw-eef'/ Ask about this word
Rootor שָׂעִף · from סָעַף
Meaningdivided (in mind), i.e. (abstractly) a sentiment
KJV usageopinion.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâʻiph — 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 çâʻiph, represented by H5587, refers to a sentiment or opinion, often one that is divided. It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses in the Bible. The term abstractly signifies a sentiment or a mind that is divided, highlighting states of internal thought and indecision.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H5587 is used to describe internal states of mind. It famously appears when the prophet Elijah H452 confronts the people for hesitating between two opinions regarding their allegiance to the LORD H3068 or Baal H1168 1 Kings 18:21. The word is also used in the book of Job to describe troubling thoughts that arise from night visions H2384, particularly when deep sleep H8639 falls upon men H582 Job 4:13. In another context, it refers to the inner thoughts that compel a person to speak and respond Job 20:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide further context to the meaning of sentiment and opinion:

  • H6452 pâçach (halt): This word, meaning to hop, hesitate, or limp, is used directly alongside H5587 to describe the physical indecisiveness of the people who "halt" between two opinions 1 Kings 18:21. It is also used for the Passover, where the LORD "passed over" the houses of the Israelites Exodus 12:23.
  • H2384 chizzâyôwn (vision): This term for a revelation or vision is presented as a source for the "thoughts" described by H5587. The connection is made explicit in Job, where troubling thoughts arise from "visions of the night" Job 4:13.
  • H7725 shûwb (answer): This word, often meaning to turn back or convert, is used in Job to indicate a response prompted by internal thoughts H5587 Job 20:2. It connects the inner sentiment to an outward action or reply.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5587 lies in its focus on the internal state of belief and decision.

  • The Call for Undivided Allegiance: The word's use in 1 Kings 18:21 frames spiritual indecision as a critical failure. Halting between two opinions is presented as an unacceptable state for the people of God H430, who are called to follow the LORD H3068 without hesitation.
  • The Realm of Inner Thought: In the book of Job, H5587 points to the inner world of human sentiment. It describes thoughts that arise from "visions of the night" Job 4:13, connecting the inner mind to spiritual or mysterious encounters that occur when deep sleep H8639 falls on men H582.
  • Sentiment as a Catalyst for Action: The term demonstrates that an internal opinion or thought is not passive. It can be the direct cause for a person to answer H7725 and act with haste H2363, as seen in Job 20:2, linking internal conviction to outward expression.

Summary

In summary, H5587 moves beyond a simple definition of opinion to explore the profound implications of a divided mind. It is used to challenge spiritual indecisiveness, to describe the unsettling nature of thoughts that arise in the night, and to show how internal sentiment drives outward action. While appearing only three times, çâʻiph captures the critical importance of a committed and undivided mind in one's relationship with God.

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 noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • שְׂעִפִּים
  • שְׂעִפַּ

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.

H452 אֵלִיָּה or prolonged אֵלִיָּהוּ; from אֵל and יָהּ; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Isra H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H1168 בַּעַל the same as בַּעַל; Baal, a Phoenician deity; Baal, (plural) Baalim. H2384 חִזָּיוֹן from חָזָה; a revelation, expectation by dream; vision. H8639 תַּרְדֵּמָה from רָדַם; a lethargy or (by implication) trance; deep sleep. H582 אֱנוֹשׁ from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or

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 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
1 Kings
2
Job

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.