The Hebrew word çᵉphôrâh, represented by H5615, means a numeration; number. It is derived from the root word H5608 çâphar, which means to count or declare. This term appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it is used to describe something that cannot be counted.
The single appearance of H5615 is found in Psalms 71:15, where the psalmist declares God's righteousness and salvation. The verse concludes, "for I know not the numbers thereof." In this context, the word is used to express the infinite and immeasurable nature of God's saving acts. The psalmist's inability to provide a numeration serves to magnify the boundless quality of God's character and deeds.
Several related words from its context help clarify its meaning:
- H5608 çâphar (to score with a mark as a tally or record... to enumerate; intensively, to recount): As the root of H5615, this verb connects the idea of counting with declaring. While God's works can be declared or shewn forth Psalms 19:1, they are ultimately too many to be numbered Psalms 40:5.
- H3045 yâdaʻ (to know; used in a great variety of senses... comprehend, consider): This word is set in direct opposition to H5615 in its only verse: "I know not the numbers" Psalms 71:15. This highlights the limits of human comprehension when faced with the endless nature of God's works.
- H6666 tsᵉdâqâh (rightness... justice, morally (virtue)): This is one of the qualities of God described as being beyond numeration. God's righteousness is presented not as a finite quantity, but as an immeasurable attribute that can be counted to believers Genesis 15:6 and serves as their heritage Isaiah 54:17.
The theological weight of H5615 is found in its singular, powerful use.
- Divine Infinitude: The word is used to establish a contrast between the finite capacity of humanity and the infinite nature of God. By stating that the "numbers" of God's acts cannot be known, scripture emphasizes His immeasurable greatness.
- Humility in Knowledge: The psalmist's confession, "I know not the numbers" Psalms 71:15, is an admission of human limitation. It illustrates that while believers are called to declare God's works, they cannot fully quantify or contain them within their understanding.
- Abundance of Grace: The concept of innumerability is specifically applied to God's righteousness H6666 and salvation H8668. This shows that His saving grace is not a limited resource but an inexhaustible, overflowing reality.
In summary, though H5615 çᵉphôrâh is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single use offers a profound theological statement. It defines the boundary between what can be measured by humanity and what is boundless in God. The word serves as a powerful reminder that God's righteousness and salvation are infinite, surpassing all human ability to count or comprehend.
TRV