a primitive root; to overflow; (make to over-) flow, swim.
Transliteration:tsûwph
Pronunciation:tsoof
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root צוּף (tsûwph, `{{H6687}}`) is a primitive verb whose core meaning encompasses the actions of "to float," "to swim," or "to overflow." It describes a state of buoyancy, where an object or substance rests upon or moves through the surface of water, or a condition where water (or metaphorically, affliction) exceeds its boundaries. The semantic range includes:
* **To float**: As an object that remains buoyant on water, resisting the natural tendency to sink.
* **To swim**: Implies movement on or through water, often by living beings.
* **To overflow**: Suggests a superabundance or an inundation, where a liquid (or a metaphorical equivalent) spills over its container or usual limits.
The root can appear in both active (Qal) and causative (Hiphil) forms, allowing for nuances such as "to cause to float" or "to make to overflow."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root צוּף (tsûwph, `{{H6687}}`) appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, illustrating both literal and metaphorical applications:
* **[[2 Kings 6:6]]**: This passage describes the miracle performed by the prophet Elisha, where an iron axe head, having fallen into the Jordan River, is supernaturally made to float. The text states, "So he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and he made the iron float" (וַיָּצֶף אֶת־הַבַּרְזֶל). Here, the verb is in the Hiphil conjugation, meaning "he caused to float" or "he made to swim." This instance highlights divine intervention that suspends the natural properties of matter, demonstrating God's power through His prophet.
* **[[Lamentations 3:54]]**: In this deeply poignant lament, the speaker cries out, "Waters overflowed my head; I said, 'I am cut off!'" (צָפוּ מַיִם עַל־רֹאשִׁי). Here, the verb is in the Qal conjugation, "overflowed." This usage is metaphorical, depicting overwhelming sorrow, distress, or the feeling of being engulfed by affliction, much like a person drowning. The "waters" symbolize the crushing weight of suffering and despair experienced by the people of Judah during the Babylonian exile.
These two primary occurrences showcase the versatility of the root, from describing a physical miracle to conveying profound emotional and existential distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of צוּף (tsûwph, `{{H6687}}`) naturally connects with several other biblical words and themes:
* **Water (מַיִם, `{{H4325}}`)**: As the medium upon which floating, swimming, and overflowing occur, water is intrinsically linked to צוּף. Water often symbolizes both life and destruction, cleansing and overwhelming power, depending on the context.
* **Flood/Deluge (מַבּוּל, `{{H3999}}`)**: While צוּף describes the act of overflowing, words like מַבּוּל refer to the event of a great flood, sharing the theme of overwhelming waters.
* **Sinking/Drowning**: The antithesis of floating or swimming. The miracle in [[2 Kings 6:6]] is significant precisely because it defies the natural tendency of iron to sink. The metaphorical use in [[Lamentations 3:54]] evokes the sensation of near-drowning in affliction.
* **Miracle (נֵס, `{{H5251}}`)**: The event in [[2 Kings 6:6]] is a clear demonstration of divine power, falling into the category of a miracle, where natural laws are suspended by God's will.
* **Affliction/Suffering (צָרָה, `{{H6862}}`)**: The metaphorical use in Lamentations ties צוּף to the experience of profound distress and overwhelming sorrow, a common theme in wisdom literature and prophetic laments.
### Theological Significance
Despite its limited occurrences, צוּף (tsûwph, `{{H6687}}`) carries significant theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Creation**: The miracle of the floating axe head in [[2 Kings 6:6]] powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over the natural order. He is not bound by the laws of physics He Himself established; rather, He can suspend or alter them at will to accomplish His purposes. This demonstrates His power to provide for His servants and to confirm the authority of His prophets. It underscores that God's power is not limited by human understanding or natural constraints.
* **God's Presence in Despair**: The metaphorical use in [[Lamentations 3:54]] portrays overwhelming suffering as a flood that engulfs the individual. This imagery is common in the Psalms (e.g., [[Psalm 69:1-2]]) and prophetic books, signifying deep distress, judgment, or the feeling of being abandoned. However, even in such profound despair, the very act of lamenting to God suggests a continued, albeit strained, relationship and a glimmer of hope that God hears and may yet deliver. It highlights the reality of human suffering while subtly pointing to the God who is present even in the depths.
* **Symbolism of Water**: The dual nature of water as both life-sustaining and destructive is reinforced through צוּף. In [[2 Kings 6:6]], water becomes the medium for a life-saving miracle. In [[Lamentations 3:54]], it symbolizes the destructive power of overwhelming grief and judgment. This duality reminds us of God's multifaceted character, capable of both gracious provision and righteous judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew root צוּף (tsûwph, `{{H6687}}`) is a rare but potent verb meaning "to float," "to swim," or "to overflow." Its few biblical occurrences offer profound insights. In [[2 Kings 6:6]], it describes the miraculous act of an iron axe head being made to float by divine power through Elisha, showcasing God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to intervene supernaturally. Conversely, in [[Lamentations 3:54]], צוּף is used metaphorically to depict the overwhelming nature of suffering and despair, where "waters overflowed my head," symbolizing the crushing weight of affliction. Theologically, צוּף underscores God's control over the natural world, His presence and power even amidst overwhelming human suffering, and the rich, often dual, symbolism of water in biblical narrative.
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