of foreign derivation; Sepharad, a region of Assyria; Sepharad.
Transliteration:Çᵉphârâd
Pronunciation:sef-aw-rawd'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5614}}` (Çᵉphârâd) is a proper noun, a place name, explicitly defined as being "of foreign derivation." Its core meaning is simply "Sepharad," identified as "a region of Assyria." This indicates a geographical location situated within or associated with the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power in the ancient Near East during the period of Israelite exile. As a foreign-derived term for a specific locale, its semantic range is narrow, referring solely to this particular region.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5614}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the prophetic book of Obadiah:
* [[Obadiah 1:20]]: "And the exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb."
In this sole occurrence, Sepharad is presented as a place where exiles from Jerusalem resided. The context of Obadiah is a prophetic oracle concerning the judgment of Edom and the ultimate restoration of Israel. The verse speaks of a future day when the dispersed people of Israel and Jerusalem will return to possess their land. The mention of "exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad" suggests that this region was a distant land of captivity for some of the Judeans, likely following the Assyrian or Babylonian conquests and deportations. While the exact geographical location of ancient Sepharad remains a subject of scholarly debate (with proposals ranging from Lydia in Asia Minor to areas within Media or Mesopotamia), the Strong's definition aligns it with "a region of Assyria," placing it within the sphere of the great empires responsible for the exiling of the Israelites. The verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the future ingathering, indicating that even those exiled to remote places like Sepharad would be brought back.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a unique place name, `{{H5614}}` does not have direct Hebrew cognates. However, it is conceptually linked to several significant biblical themes and terms:
* **Exile/Diaspora:** The primary concept associated with Sepharad is the dispersion of the Jewish people. Terms like `{{H1540}}` (galah, "to go into exile") and `{{H7617}}` (shevut, "captivity, return") are intrinsically connected to the historical reality that Sepharad represents. The later Greek term "Diaspora" encapsulates the broader phenomenon of Jewish communities living outside the land of Israel, a reality foreshadowed by the mention of exiles in Sepharad.
* **Foreign Lands/Nations:** The "foreign derivation" of the word and its identification as a "region of Assyria" connect it to the broader biblical understanding of `{{H1471}}` (goyim, "nations" or "Gentiles") – the non-Israelite peoples and their territories where Israel often found itself in bondage or exile.
* **Restoration:** The verse in Obadiah speaks of the exiles *returning* from Sepharad, linking it to the prophetic theme of `{{H7725}}` (shuv, "to return") and the eschatological hope of Israel's re-gathering and re-possession of their land.
* **Assyria:** The definition's explicit link to "Assyria" connects Sepharad to the powerful empire that played a significant role in the initial deportations of the northern kingdom of Israel and later impacted Judah (`{{H804}}` - ’Ashshûr).
### Theological Significance
The singular mention of Sepharad, though brief, carries profound theological weight within the prophetic context of Obadiah.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Over Exile:** Sepharad serves as a geographical marker of the vast extent of Israel's dispersion. It underscores that even in distant lands of captivity, God's eye was upon His people. The fact that the prophet names such a specific, albeit obscure, location demonstrates God's intimate knowledge of His scattered flock and His sovereign control over their circumstances, even in seemingly forgotten corners of the world.
2. **The Breadth of God's Redemptive Plan:** The promise that exiles from Sepharad will return highlights the comprehensive nature of God's future redemption. No matter how far-flung or deeply entrenched in foreign lands His people might be, God's promise of restoration extends to them all. This provides immense hope to those suffering in exile, affirming that their geographical distance does not negate God's covenant faithfulness.
3. **Future Hope and Ingathering:** Sepharad becomes a symbol of the ultimate ingathering of the scattered remnant. It points to a time when God will reverse the consequences of sin and judgment, bringing His people back from every direction to inherit their promised heritage. This theme is central to the prophetic vision of Israel's future.
4. **A Testament to Enduring Identity:** Even in foreign lands like Sepharad, the exiles retained their identity as "exiles of Jerusalem," signifying their enduring connection to the covenant and the promised land, a connection God Himself would honor.
### Summary
`{{H5614}}` (Çᵉphârâd) is a unique Hebrew proper noun, a place name of foreign derivation, identified as a region within or connected to Assyria. It appears only once in the Bible, in [[Obadiah 1:20]], where it designates a distant location to which some exiles from Jerusalem were deported. Theologically, Sepharad symbolizes the far-reaching extent of Israel's dispersion during the period of exile, yet more significantly, it serves as a testament to God's comprehensive plan of restoration. Its mention underscores divine sovereignty over all lands, the enduring covenant faithfulness of God to His scattered people, and the future hope of a complete ingathering from even the most remote places of captivity.
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