from an unused root meaning to depress; a basin (as deepened out); bowl, dish.
Transliteration:çêphel
Pronunciation:say'-fel
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5602}}` (סֵפֶל, *çêphel*) primarily denotes a "basin," "bowl," or "dish." Its etymological root is described as an unused verbal root meaning "to depress" or "to hollow out." This etymology precisely captures the physical characteristic of the object: a concave vessel designed to contain liquids or solids. The semantic range of `{{H5602}}` is quite narrow, consistently referring to a functional receptacle. It implies a degree of capacity and utility for holding, serving, or collecting substances.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5602}}` appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Judges:
* **[[Judges 5:25]]**: In Deborah's song, celebrating Jael's slaying of Sisera, it is recounted: "He asked for water, and she gave him milk; she brought him curds in a magnificent bowl" (סֵפֶל אַדִּירִים - *sēphel 'addîrîm*). Here, the `{{H5602}}` is qualified as "magnificent" or "lordly," suggesting a vessel of high quality or significance, fitting for serving a dignitary like Sisera. It holds a nourishing substance (milk/curds), deceptively offered as an act of hospitality that leads to Sisera's demise. The bowl, therefore, becomes an instrument in a pivotal moment of national deliverance, embodying both hospitality and strategic deception.
* **[[Judges 6:38]]**: In the account of Gideon's fleece test, it is stated: "And he wrung out the fleece, a bowl full of water." In this context, the `{{H5602}}` serves as a simple, practical container to collect the miraculous dew wrung from the fleece. The phrase "a bowl full of water" emphasizes the tangible and undeniable nature of the divine sign provided to Gideon. The bowl's capacity is sufficient to hold a significant amount, underscoring the completeness of God's answer to Gideon's request.
In both occurrences, `{{H5602}}` functions as a receptacle, but its significance is elevated by the extraordinary circumstances in which it appears. In [[Judges 5:25]], it is linked to a moment of strategic triumph and the defeat of an enemy. In [[Judges 6:38]], it is a vessel for a divine miracle, confirming God's presence and promise to Gideon.
### Related Words & Concepts
While `{{H5602}}` has a specific meaning, it relates to a broader category of vessels and their functions in biblical life:
* **General Vessels:** Other Hebrew terms for various containers include:
* `{{H3564}}` (כּוֹס, *kos*): A "cup," typically for drinking.
* `{{H4283}}` (מִזְרָק, *mizraq*): A "basin" or "bowl," often used in cultic contexts for collecting sacrificial blood (e.g., [[Exodus 27:3]], [[Zechariah 9:15]]). This highlights a more ritualistic or sacred function compared to the domestic nature of `{{H5602}}`.
* `{{H1547}}` (גּוּלָּה, *gullah*): A "bowl," often referring to architectural elements or parts of a lampstand (e.g., [[1 Kings 7:41]]).
* `{{H6085}}` (עָגָן, *agan*): A "basin" or "bowl," often associated with washing (e.g., [[Exodus 38:8]]).
* **Concepts:** The use of `{{H5602}}` evokes several broader biblical concepts:
* **Containment and Provision:** The primary function of a bowl is to hold and serve, linking to themes of sustenance and divine provision.
* **Divine Sign and Confirmation:** As seen in Gideon's narrative, a simple vessel becomes the means by which a miraculous sign is tangibly manifested and confirmed.
* **Hospitality and Deception:** In Jael's account, the bowl is an instrument of a feigned hospitality that leads to a righteous outcome, illustrating the complex interplay of human action and divine will.
* **The Ordinary Made Extraordinary:** The humble nature of a `{{H5602}}` being used in momentous events underscores God's ability to employ common objects and individuals for His grand purposes.
### Theological Significance
The limited but potent occurrences of `{{H5602}}` offer significant theological insights:
* **God's Use of the Mundane:** The `{{H5602}}`, a common household item, is elevated to prominence in narratives of divine intervention. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His capacity to use the most ordinary objects as instruments in His extraordinary plans. In Gideon's case, a simple bowl becomes a vessel for divine assurance, underscoring that God's power is not limited by the grandeur of the means.
* **Tangible Manifestation of Divine Action:** Particularly in [[Judges 6:38]], the "bowl full of water" provides a concrete, measurable, and undeniable sign of God's faithfulness to Gideon. It moves the divine promise from the abstract to the tangible, offering clear evidence of God's active involvement in human affairs.
* **The Intersection of Human Action and Divine Purpose:** In Jael's act, the `{{H5602}}` is central to her strategic deception. While human agency is clearly at play, the biblical narrative frames this action within God's overarching plan for Israel's deliverance. The bowl, therefore, becomes a quiet witness to the complex ways in which human choices, even those involving guile, can serve divine ends.
* **Symbol of Fullness and Sufficiency:** The phrase "a bowl full of water" in Gideon's account implies a complete and abundant provision, signifying that God's answer to prayer is not partial but overflowing and sufficient.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5602}}` (סֵפֶל, *çêphel*) denotes a "basin," "bowl," or "dish," deriving from an unused root implying something "depressed" or hollowed out. Despite its rare appearance in the biblical text, occurring only twice in the book of Judges, its contexts are highly significant. In [[Judges 5:25]], it describes the "magnificent bowl" from which Jael offered milk to Sisera, a vessel central to her decisive act of hospitality and subsequent execution. In [[Judges 6:38]], it functions as the receptacle for the miraculous dew wrung from Gideon's fleece, serving as a tangible sign of divine assurance. The theological significance of `{{H5602}}` thus transcends its simple definition, illustrating how common objects can become instruments of divine purpose, whether for provision, strategic action, or miraculous confirmation. It underscores themes of divine detail, the use of ordinary things for extraordinary ends, and the tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness. The `{{H5602}}` is not merely a container, but a witness to pivotal moments in redemptive history.
TRV