a primitive root; to hide by covering; specifically, to roof (passive participle as noun, a roof) or wainscot; figuratively, to reserve; cieled, cover, seated.
Transliteration:çâphan
Pronunciation:saw-fan'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H5603}}` (סָפַן, *çâphan*) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to hide by covering." This fundamental sense ramifies into several more specific applications, reflecting both literal and figurative uses.
Literally, `{{H5603}}` refers to the act of providing a protective or decorative covering for a structure. This includes:
* **Roofing:** To cover a building with a roof, providing shelter and enclosure.
* **Wainscoting/Paneling:** To line the interior walls or ceilings with boards, typically of fine wood, creating a finished and often luxurious appearance. This implies a deliberate act of construction that conceals the underlying structure and enhances the space.
Figuratively, the concept of "hiding by covering" extends to:
* **Reservation:** To set something apart, to keep it hidden or preserved for a specific purpose or future use. This sense implies protection and designation rather than mere concealment.
The passive participle of `{{H5603}}` can function as a noun, referring to the "roof" or "ceiling" itself, highlighting the result of the covering action. The various English translations, such as "cieled," "cover," and "seated," capture these diverse facets of enclosing, protecting, and finishing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H5603}}` appears in various forms across the Hebrew Bible, primarily in architectural contexts and once with a distinct theological nuance.
* **Architectural Applications:**
* [[1 Kings 6:9]], [[1 Kings 6:15]], [[1 Kings 7:3]], [[1 Kings 7:7]]: These passages extensively describe the construction of Solomon's Temple and palace. `{{H5603}}` is used to detail the elaborate finishing work, specifically the "covering" or "paneling" of the structures with cedar wood. For instance, [[1 Kings 6:9]] states, "So he built the house and finished it; and he *covered* (וַיִּסְפֹּן, *wayyispōn*) the house with beams and boards of cedar." This emphasizes the grandeur, sanctity, and meticulous craftsmanship of these royal and sacred edifices. The use of precious cedar signifies the quality and significance of the structures.
* [[Jeremiah 22:14]]: Here, the word is used in a critical context, describing King Jehoiakim's self-indulgent building projects. The king boasts of building a spacious house, "and *paneling* (וְסָפוּן, *wəçâphûn*) it with cedar, and painting it with vermilion." This highlights the luxurious and perhaps excessive nature of his personal dwelling, setting the stage for the prophet's condemnation of his misplaced priorities.
* [[Haggai 1:4]]: This is perhaps the most theologically charged use. The prophet Haggai challenges the people, asking, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your *paneled* (סְפוּנִים, *səphunîm*) houses, while this house lies in ruins?" The word here starkly contrasts the people's comfortable, well-finished homes with the desolate state of the Lord's Temple. The "paneled" houses symbolize their self-interest and neglect of divine priorities.
* **Figurative Application (Reservation):**
* [[Deuteronomy 33:21]]: In Moses' blessing of the tribes, it is said of Gad, "And he provided the first part for himself, for there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he *reserved* (סָפוּן, *çâphûn*)." Here, `{{H5603}}` signifies that the tribe of Gad was set apart or hidden away for a specific, divinely ordained purpose, implying protection and designation rather than mere physical concealment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H5603}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to covering, hiding, and building:
* `{{H3680}}` (כָּסָה, *kāçâ*): A very common and broad term meaning "to cover, conceal." While `{{H5603}}` often implies a more deliberate, structural, or finishing type of covering, `{{H3680}}` can refer to any act of covering, whether with clothing, a veil, or to hide something generally.
* `{{H6823}}` (צָפָה, *ṣāphâ*): "To overlay, plate." This word is closely related in architectural contexts, as seen in [[1 Kings 6:15]] where Solomon "covered" (סָפַן) the walls with cedar, and then "overlaid" (וַיְצַף, *wayyəṣap*) the floor with cypress. `{{H6823}}` often refers to applying a decorative or protective layer, especially of precious materials like gold, complementing the work described by `{{H5603}}`.
* `{{H5596}}` (סָתַר, *çāthar*): "To hide, conceal, be absent." This term is a general word for hiding or being hidden, often used in contexts of secrecy or divine concealment. While `{{H5603}}` can mean "to reserve" (a form of hiding), `{{H5596}}` lacks the architectural or constructive connotation.
* `{{H2244}}` (חָבָא, *ḥābāʾ*): "To hide oneself, be hidden." Similar to `{{H5596}}`, this focuses on the act of concealment, often for protection or from fear.
In the architectural domain, `{{H5603}}` is intrinsically linked to concepts of craftsmanship, luxury, sacred space, and the creation of durable, enclosed environments.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5603}}` is multifaceted, drawing from its literal and figurative uses.
Firstly, in its application to the construction of the Temple and royal buildings, `{{H5603}}` highlights the importance of providing a fitting and glorious dwelling for God and His chosen king. The elaborate "paneling" and "ceiling" with precious cedar underscore the reverence and resources invested in creating a sacred space that reflects the glory of the Divine. It speaks to the human desire to honor God through beauty and permanence.
Secondly, the use of `{{H5603}}` in [[Deuteronomy 33:21]] to describe the tribe of Gad as "reserved" by God reveals a theological dimension of divine intentionality. God "hides" or "sets apart" individuals or groups not for their obscurity, but for a specific, unfolding purpose within His redemptive plan. This speaks to God's sovereign election and providential care over His people.
Most profoundly, `{{H5603}}` carries a potent theological critique in [[Haggai 1:4]]. The prophet's indictment of the people for dwelling in their "paneled houses" while the Lord's house lies in ruins exposes a fundamental spiritual misalignment. The luxurious *covering* of their own homes stands in stark contrast to the *uncovered* and neglected state of God's dwelling. This passage uses the architectural meaning of `{{H5603}}` as a metaphor for misplaced priorities, spiritual apathy, and a failure to honor God above personal comfort and material possessions. It serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing self-interest over devotion to the divine.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H5603}}` (סָפַן, *çâphan*) fundamentally means "to hide by covering." This core definition expands to encompass both literal and figurative applications. In its literal sense, it is frequently used in architectural contexts to describe the act of roofing, paneling, or wainscoting a structure, particularly evident in the detailed accounts of Solomon's Temple and palace (e.g., [[1 Kings 6:9]], [[1 Kings 6:15]]). This usage emphasizes the creation of finished, protected, and often luxurious spaces. Figuratively, `{{H5603}}` signifies the act of reserving or setting something apart, as seen in God's reservation of the tribe of Gad ([[Deuteronomy 33:21]]), highlighting divine purpose and providence. The word's most powerful theological resonance emerges in [[Haggai 1:4]], where the "paneled houses" of the people serve as a stark contrast to the desolate Temple, powerfully indicting their misplaced priorities and spiritual neglect. Thus, `{{H5603}}` encapsulates both the physical act of enclosure and the profound theological concepts of divine reservation and human spiritual accountability.
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