English · KJV
H5603

סָפַן

çâphan /saw-fan'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto hide by covering; specifically, to roof (passive participle as noun, a roof) or wainscot; figuratively, to reserve
KJV usagecieled, cover, seated.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of çâphan — 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 çâphan, represented by H5603, is a primitive root meaning to hide by covering. It is used specifically to describe the act of roofing or paneling a structure, and figuratively, to reserve something. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses, with translations including covered, cieled, and seated.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H5603 most often refers to the completion and finishing of significant buildings, particularly with valuable materials. Solomon's temple and palace are described as being covered with cedar H730 beams H1356, boards H7713, and pillars H5982 (1 Kings 6:9, 1 Kings 7:3). The porch H197 of judgment H4941 was also covered with cedar from floor to floor 1 Kings 7:7. The term carries a sense of luxury and honor, but it is also used in a rebuke. The prophet Haggai challenges the people for dwelling H3427 in their own cieled H5603 houses H1004 while the house H1004 of the LORD lies waste H2720 Haggai 1:4. Figuratively, the word is used to describe a privileged status, as when a portion H2513 from the lawgiver H2710 is seated or reserved for a leader of the people H5971 Deuteronomy 33:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of çâphan:

  • H1004 bayith (a house): This is the primary object that is covered or cieled using H5603. The state of one's house H1004, whether finely finished or lying waste, is a central theme in its usage Haggai 1:4.
  • H1129 bânâh (to build): This action precedes the work of H5603. Structures are first built H1129 and then finished or covered 1 Kings 6:9, indicating a process of completion.
  • H730 ʼerez (cedar tree): This is the specific material mentioned multiple times for covering and ceiling structures, signifying quality, value, and permanence (Jeremiah 22:14, 1 Kings 6:9).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5603 is seen in how it highlights value and priorities.

  • Bestowing Honor: To cover or ciel something, especially with expensive cedar H730, was to bestow honor and significance upon it. This is evident in the construction of the temple and the porch of judgment 1 Kings 7:7.
  • Misplaced Devotion: The word serves as a powerful tool for rebuke. In Haggai 1:4, the comfort of the people's cieled houses H1004 is contrasted with the neglect of the LORD's house, revealing their misplaced spiritual priorities.
  • Reserved Inheritance: The figurative use of seated in Deuteronomy 33:21 points to the concept of a divinely secured or reserved portion. It signifies a protected and established inheritance provided by the lawgiver H2710.

Summary

In summary, H5603 is a specific term that carries both literal and figurative weight. While it appears only a few times, it effectively communicates the idea of finishing, protecting, or setting apart something of value. Whether describing the cedar panels of a king's house or the reserved portion of a tribal leader, çâphan underscores the importance of what is covered and what is honored.

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 3 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.

  • סָפוּן
  • יִּסְפֹּן
  • סְפוּנִים

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.

H730 אֶרֶז from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree). H1356 גֵּב from גּוּב; a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug); beam, ditch, pit. H7713 שְׂדֵרָה from an unused root meaning to regulate; a row, i.e. rank (of soldiers), story (of rooms); board, range. H5982 עַמּוּד or עַמֻּד; from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar. H197 אוּלָם or (shortened), אֻלָם ; from אָלַם (in the sense of tying); a vestibule (as bound to the building); porch. H4941 מִשְׁפָּט from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decre

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 Kings (3 verses); never once in the other 35.

1
Deuteronomy
3
1 Kings
1
Jeremiah
1
Haggai

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.