a primitive root; to wrap, i.e. roll or dress; be attired, [idiom] surely, violently turn.
Transliteration:tsânaph
Pronunciation:tsaw-naf'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6801 (צָנַף, *tsânaph*) is a primitive root carrying a primary semantic range related to "wrapping" or "rolling." Its core meaning suggests the act of coiling or winding something around an object or oneself. This fundamental sense extends to being "attired" or "dressed," particularly implying the donning of garments that involve wrapping, such as a turban or a sash. Beyond this physical act of wrapping, the definition also indicates an idiomatic and more dynamic meaning: "to turn violently" or "to roll away forcefully." This duality suggests both a static state of being enveloped and a dynamic, decisive action of turning or expelling. The "wrapping" aspect can imply completion, covering, or adornment, while the "violent turning" suggests a sudden, forceful, or irreversible movement, often with negative connotations of expulsion or judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H6801 (צָנַף) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in a context of divine judgment:
* **[[Isaiah 22:18]]**: "He will surely *violently turn* you and toss you like a ball into a wide land; there you will die, and there your glorious chariots will be the shame of your master's house." In this sole occurrence, the meaning clearly aligns with the "violently turn" or "roll forcefully" aspect of the definition. The prophet Isaiah pronounces judgment against Shebna, a corrupt palace administrator. The imagery is vivid and forceful: Yahweh will "roll him up" or "violently turn him" (וְצָנֹוף יִצְנָפְךָ צְנֵפָה) and then "toss him like a ball" (וְטָלְטַלְךָ טַלְטֵלָה) into a distant land. The repetition of the root (tsânaph) in both the infinitive absolute and the finite verb emphasizes the certainty and intensity of this divine action. Here, the root conveys a sense of decisive, inescapable, and forceful expulsion, highlighting God's sovereign power over human affairs and His righteous indignation against corruption.
While the verbal form is limited to this single context of forceful judgment, it is important to note that the noun H4701 (מִצְנֶפֶת, *mitsnepheth*), meaning "turban" or "headdress," is derived from this same root, reflecting the "wrapping" or "dressing" aspect of the lemma's broader semantic range. This noun is used extensively for the priestly turban ([[Exodus 28:4]], [[Leviticus 8:9]], [[Zechariah 3:5]]), indicating a sacred covering. Although the verb H6801 itself does not appear in these contexts, the existence of such a prominent derivative underscores the full semantic potential of the root, even if only one facet is realized in its verbal form in the extant text.
### Related Words & Concepts
The dual nature of H6801 (צָנַף) connects it to several conceptual fields:
* **Wrapping and Clothing:** The semantic field of wrapping, covering, and attire includes words like H3847 (לָבַשׁ, *lavash*, to clothe), H3680 (כָּסָה, *kasah*, to cover), and H4701 (מִצְנֶפֶת, *mitsnepheth*, turban), which is a direct derivative. This connection highlights aspects of identity, status, and sacred office, particularly in the context of the priestly turban.
* **Turning and Rolling:** The dynamic aspect of "violent turning" or "rolling" links H6801 to verbs of movement, expulsion, and judgment. Related concepts include H2905 (טול, *tul*, to cast, throw), which appears alongside H6801 in [[Isaiah 22:18]], emphasizing the forceful nature of the action. Other words like H1556 (גָּלַל, *galal*, to roll) or H5437 (סָבַב, *savav*, to turn around) share a conceptual affinity in terms of rotational or decisive movement.
* **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty:** In its biblical usage, H6801 is strongly associated with divine action. This places it in conceptual proximity to terms describing God's power, wrath, and decisive intervention in human history, such as H8199 (שָׁפַט, *shaphat*, to judge) or H6485 (פָּקַד, *paqad*, to visit, appoint, punish).
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H6801 (צָנַף) in [[Isaiah 22:18]] carries profound theological weight, primarily emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment. The "violent turning" of Shebna is not a random event but a deliberate, powerful act of Yahweh, demonstrating His control over the destiny of individuals and nations. The imagery of being "tossed like a ball" underscores the utter powerlessness and insignificance of human resistance against divine decree. This passage serves as a stark warning against pride, self-aggrandizement, and corruption in positions of authority, reminding humanity that all power ultimately derives from God and is subject to His scrutiny and judgment.
While the verb itself is confined to a context of judgment, the broader semantic range of the root, particularly as seen in its derivative H4701 (the priestly turban), points to another significant theological dimension: that of sacred attire, holiness, and divine appointment. The turban, a wrapped head covering, symbolized consecration and the unique status of the priesthood. Thus, the root H6801 implicitly holds the tension between divine judgment that forcefully removes the unworthy and divine appointment that clothes and consecrates the chosen for sacred service. This duality suggests that the divine "wrapping" or "turning" can be both an act of decisive judgment and an act of sacred investiture, depending on the divine purpose.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H6801 (צָנַף, *tsânaph*) possesses a fascinating dual semantic range: "to wrap, roll, or dress" and "to turn violently or forcefully." While its verbal form appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Isaiah 22:18]], it powerfully describes God's decisive and inescapable judgment, where He "violently turns" and expels the corrupt official Shebna. This singular usage underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous indignation against human pride and unfaithfulness. Despite its limited verbal occurrence, the root's broader meaning of "wrapping" is vividly present in its derived noun H4701 (מִצְנֶפֶת), the sacred turban worn by priests, symbolizing consecration and divine appointment. Thus, H6801 encapsulates both the severity of divine judgment that forcefully removes the unworthy and the sacred act of divine investiture that clothes the chosen, reflecting the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with humanity.
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