English · KJV
H5596

סָפַח

çâphach /saw-fakh'/ Ask about this word
Rootor שָׂפַח
Meaning(Isaiah 3:17), a primitive root; properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)
KJV usageabiding, gather together, cleave, smite with the scab.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâphach — 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 çâphach, represented by H5596, is a primitive root with a range of meanings related to removal or association. Its primary definition is to scrape out, but it is used in scripture to mean abiding, gathering together, cleaving, or to smite with a scab. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses, with an alternate spelling used in Isaiah 3:17.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of H5596 in scripture highlights its dual application to both positive association and negative affliction. In a positive sense, it describes how strangers will cleave to the house of Jacob, joining with God's people Isaiah 14:1. It can also signify a desperate need for attachment, as when a destitute man begs to be put into a priest's office to survive 1 Samuel 2:36. Conversely, it is used for divine punishment, where the Lord will smite with a scab the daughters of Zion Isaiah 3:17. The word also depicts being forcibly removed from a place of belonging, as David laments being driven from abiding in the Lord's inheritance 1 Samuel 26:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H5596 is used:

  • H3867 lâvâh (to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain): This word is used in parallel with H5596 in Isaiah 14:1, where strangers will be joined H3867 and cleave H5596 to Israel, reinforcing the theme of association.
  • H1644 gârash (to drive out from a possession): This word acts as an antonym in 1 Samuel 26:19. David has been driven out H1644, preventing him from abiding H5596 in God's inheritance, which shows the opposing actions of forced removal versus staying attached.
  • H7812 shâchâh (to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)): In 1 Samuel 2:36, a man will crouch H7812 in an act of desperation to beg that he be put H5596 into a priestly role, showing an act of obeisance to gain a position of attachment.
  • H5647 ʻâbad (to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve): The consequence of being driven from abiding H5596 in the Lord's inheritance is being told to go serve H5647 other gods, linking physical separation from God's land with spiritual separation 1 Samuel 26:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5596 is evident in its application to one's relationship with God and His people.

  • Inclusion in the Covenant: The word positively frames the inclusion of gentiles, who will cleave H5596 to the house of Jacob, becoming part of the community of faith Isaiah 14:1.
  • Separation from God: To be removed from abiding H5596 in the Lord's inheritance is presented as a curse, a separation that forces one toward the service of false gods 1 Samuel 26:19. This positions physical and spiritual belonging as fundamentally intertwined.
  • Divine Judgment: The term is also an instrument of divine judgment. God himself smites with a scab H5596 as a punishment, demonstrating that an "attachment" can also be a form of affliction directly from the Lord Isaiah 3:17.

Summary

In summary, H5596 is a multifaceted word that conveys concepts of both connection and affliction. Its meaning shifts dramatically with context, from the blessed act of strangers cleaving to Israel, to the desperate plea of a man seeking to be attached to the priesthood, to the painful judgment of God smiting with a scab. Through its varied uses, H5596 illustrates the profound biblical themes of belonging, exclusion, and the direct hand of God in the affairs of humanity.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 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.

  • הִסְתַּפֵּחַ
  • נִסְפְּחוּ
  • שִׂפַּח
  • מְסַפֵּחַ
  • יְסֻפָּחוּ
  • סְפָחֵ

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.

H3867 לָוָה a primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation H1644 גָּרַשׁ a primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce; cast up (out), divorced (woman), H7812 שָׁחָה a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouc H5647 עָבַד a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep

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 6 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Samuel and Isaiah (2 verses each); never once in the other 35.

2
1 Samuel
1
Job
2
Isaiah
1
Habakkuk

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.