feminine active participle of סָפַר; a scribe (properly, female); Sophereth, a temple servant; Sophereth.
Transliteration:Çôphereth
Pronunciation:so-feh'-reth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Çôphereth (סֹפֶרֶת), Strong's H5618, is a feminine active participle derived from the root verb `{{H5608}}` (sāpar), which broadly signifies "to count, recount, relate, tell, declare, number, or write." Etymologically, therefore, Çôphereth means "a scribe," specifically implying a female scribe or one associated with scribal activities. However, in its biblical usage, Çôphereth functions exclusively as a proper noun, identifying a specific individual or, more accurately, a family line. The definition provided also links it to "a temple servant," indicating a specialized role within the sacred sphere, likely related to administration or record-keeping, even if the direct scribal function is not explicitly stated for the family in question. Thus, its semantic range shifts from the general concept of scribal work to a specific proper name denoting a lineage involved in temple service.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Çôphereth (H5618) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, in parallel lists detailing those who returned from Babylonian exile to Judah:
* [[Ezra 2:55]]: "The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,"
* [[Nehemiah 7:57]]: "The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,"
In both instances, Sophereth is listed among "the children of Solomon's servants" (בְּנֵי עַבְדֵי שְׁלֹמֹה, *b'ney avdey Shlomo*). This group is a subset of the Nethinim (`{{H5411}}`), who were dedicated temple servants, often performing menial tasks but also potentially administrative or supportive roles within the sanctuary. Their inclusion in these meticulously compiled lists underscores their recognized lineage and importance within the post-exilic community. The context is the grand return from exile, where the community is being re-established and organized, with particular attention paid to those responsible for the re-initiation of temple worship and service. The presence of the family of Sophereth among these returnees signifies their integral, albeit perhaps humble, role in the restoration of Judah's religious and national life. While their precise duties are not detailed, their ancestral name hints at a potential historical connection to scribal or administrative functions within the temple framework.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5608}}` (sāpar):** The fundamental root verb from which Çôphereth derives, meaning "to count, recount, relate, tell, declare, number, write." This root is central to understanding the etymological significance of the name.
* **`{{H5613}}` (sōpēr):** The masculine noun for "scribe," often referring to a professional writer, copyist, or scholar, such as Ezra himself, who is famously described as "a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses" ([[Ezra 7:6]]).
* **Nethinim (נְתִינִים - *nəthînîm*):** This broader category of temple servants, meaning "given ones," encompasses the "children of Solomon's servants." They were dedicated to the service of the sanctuary, performing various duties to support the priests and Levites.
* **Temple Service:** The overarching concept of dedicated service within the sanctuary, encompassing the diverse roles of priests, Levites, and various classes of temple servants, including the family of Sophereth.
* **Scribal Tradition:** The vital practice of writing, preserving, and transmitting sacred texts and records, a cornerstone of Israelite and Jewish religious life. While Sophereth is a proper name, its etymological link to "scribe" suggests an underlying cultural appreciation for this tradition.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of the family of Sophereth in the lists of returnees bears several layers of theological significance. Firstly, it highlights God's meticulous providence and care for all segments of His people, even those in seemingly less prominent roles of temple service. Every family, every individual, is accounted for and valued in His overarching plan for the restoration of His covenant community. Secondly, the Nethinim, including the family of Sophereth, represent a diverse group, possibly of non-Israelite descent, who were nevertheless integrated into the worship life of Israel. Their dedication to temple service underscores the inclusive nature of God's covenant, where faithful service, regardless of origin, finds its place within the divine economy.
Furthermore, the etymological connection of the name "Sophereth" to "scribe" subtly emphasizes the profound importance of literacy, record-keeping, and the faithful transmission of divine revelation within the life of God's people. Even if the family did not exclusively perform scribal duties in the post-exilic period, their name might serve as a perpetual reminder of the sanctity of the written word and the careful administration of sacred affairs. Their return from exile, alongside the priests and Levites, symbolizes the comprehensive re-establishment of a functional and complete temple service, which was absolutely essential for the spiritual identity and worship life of the restored community in Judah. It testifies to God's faithfulness in preserving and bringing back all necessary components for His worship.
### Summary
H5618, Çôphereth (סֹפֶרֶת), is a unique Hebrew proper noun derived from the verb `{{H5608}}` ("to count, write"), etymologically meaning "a scribe" or "female scribe." In its biblical occurrences, it refers to a family line among "the children of Solomon's servants," a group of temple functionaries often associated with the Nethinim. Found in the meticulous post-exilic lists of [[Ezra 2:55]] and [[Nehemiah 7:57]], the inclusion of Sophereth underscores the divine and human meticulousness in recording those returning to Judah and their vital role in re-establishing temple worship. While specifically identifying a family of temple servants, its name subtly evokes the broader biblical emphasis on scribal activity, record-keeping, and the divine value placed on the written word. The presence of the Sophereth family in these restoration lists highlights God's comprehensive care for all who serve Him and His providential work in reconstituting His covenant community.
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