feminine from the same as צֶפַע; an outcast thing; issue.
Transliteration:tsᵉphiʻâh
Pronunciation:tsef-ee-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term צְפִעָה (tsᵉphiʻâh, `{{H6849}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the same root as צֶפַע (tsephaʻ, `{{H6848}}`), which denotes a "viper" or "serpent." The base definition for tsᵉphiʻâh is "an outcast thing" or "issue," specifically referring to the "offspring" or "product" of a viper. This etymological connection is crucial, as it imbues tsᵉphiʻâh with a potent semantic range encompassing venomous, dangerous, and detestable characteristics. It signifies not merely progeny, but a product that embodies the inherent malice and destructive nature of its source, akin to the poisonous "fruit" or "hatching" of a deadly serpent. The word thus carries strong connotations of inherent evil, corruption, and fatal outcomes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term tsᵉphiʻâh appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the prophetic book of Isaiah, consistently maintaining its association with serpents and their destructive progeny:
1. **[[Isaiah 14:29]]**: "Rejoice not, O Philistia, because the rod that smote you is broken; for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a viper, and its fruit will be a fiery flying serpent."
In this oracle against Philistia, tsᵉphiʻâh is presented as the "viper" (or "cockatrice" in some translations) that emerges from the "serpent's root." The context is one of successive oppressive rulers. The initial "serpent" (likely referring to the Assyrian king who had oppressed Philistia) will be succeeded by an even more virulent "viper" (tsᵉphiʻâh), whose "fruit" will be a "fiery flying serpent" (שָׂרָף מְעוֹפֵף, saraph me'opheph, `{{H8313}}`). Here, tsᵉphiʻâh metaphorically represents a new, more dangerous generation or manifestation of evil and tyranny, emphasizing the continuity and escalation of wickedness. It speaks to the inherent, deeply rooted nature of the threat.
2. **[[Isaiah 59:5]]**: "They hatch adders' eggs and weave the spider's web; he who eats of their eggs dies, and from what is crushed a viper breaks out."
This passage describes the pervasive sin and corruption within Israel. The people's wicked deeds are likened to "hatching adders' eggs," and tsᵉphiʻâh is what "breaks out" or "hatches" from these eggs when crushed. This vivid imagery portrays the inherent deadliness and destructive nature of their actions. Their plans and efforts, though seemingly innocuous or self-serving, are inherently venomous, leading to death and moral decay. The "viper" (tsᵉphiʻâh) here is the inevitable, poisonous outcome of their sinful endeavors, highlighting the internal corruption that manifests in deadly results.
In both instances, tsᵉphiʻâh is consistently linked to the venomous nature of serpents, signifying a product or outcome that is inherently destructive, dangerous, and morally corrupt.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is צֶפַע (tsephaʻ, `{{H6848}}`), the masculine form meaning "viper" or "serpent," from which tsᵉphiʻâh directly derives. This etymological link is foundational to understanding its meaning.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **Serpents and Vipers**: The broader biblical symbolism of serpents (e.g., נָחָשׁ, nachash, `{{H5175}}`) as symbols of evil, deception, and rebellion (e.g., [[Genesis 3:1]], [[Revelation 12:9]]). tsᵉphiʻâh extends this imagery to the *offspring* or *product* of such evil.
* **Fiery Serpent**: The term שָׂרָף (saraph, `{{H8313}}`), "fiery serpent," which appears in parallel with tsᵉphiʻâh in [[Isaiah 14:29]], further emphasizing the lethal and destructive nature.
* **Inherent Evil**: The concept of sin as not merely an external act but an internal corruption that produces poisonous fruit. tsᵉphiʻâh vividly illustrates this, portraying the "issue" or "offspring" of sin as inherently deadly.
* **Consequences of Sin**: The word underscores the inevitable and fatal outcomes of unrighteousness, whether in the form of tyrannical succession or the self-destructive nature of a nation's moral decay.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of tsᵉphiʻâh lies in its powerful metaphorical portrayal of the nature and consequences of evil and sin. It speaks to:
1. **The Insidious Nature of Evil**: By connecting to the "viper," tsᵉphiʻâh highlights the insidious, deceptive, and venomous character of evil. It is not merely an external threat but something that emerges from a corrupt "root" or is "hatched" from wicked intentions, carrying inherent destructiveness.
2. **The Continuity and Escalation of Sin**: In [[Isaiah 14:29]], tsᵉphiʻâh illustrates how one form of wickedness can give rise to an even more potent and dangerous successor. This speaks to the escalating nature of sin and its consequences if left unchecked, demonstrating God's judgment upon persistent unrighteousness.
3. **The Fatal Outcome of Rebellion**: In [[Isaiah 59:5]], the word underscores the self-destructive nature of sin within God's people. Their unjust deeds are not benign but are likened to "hatching adders' eggs," producing a deadly "viper" (tsᵉphiʻâh). This emphasizes that sin, when fully conceived and brought forth, inevitably brings forth death and spiritual decay. It serves as a stark warning about the internal corruption that manifests in devastating external realities.
4. **Divine Judgment**: The prophetic use of tsᵉphiʻâh serves as a declaration of divine judgment. Whether against oppressive nations or a wayward Israel, the imagery conveys the severity of God's response to deep-seated wickedness and its inevitable, destructive "issue."
### Summary
The Hebrew word צְפִעָה (tsᵉphiʻâh, `{{H6849}}`) signifies an "outcast thing" or "issue," specifically the venomous offspring or product of a viper. Derived from צֶפַע (tsephaʻ, `{{H6848}}`), "viper," it carries strong connotations of inherent danger, corruption, and fatal outcomes. Its two occurrences in Isaiah consistently employ it as a potent metaphor: in [[Isaiah 14:29]], it represents a new, more dangerous manifestation of tyrannical evil emerging from a corrupt lineage; in [[Isaiah 59:5]], it vividly describes the deadly consequences that "hatch" from the sinful actions and intentions of a morally corrupt people. Theologically, tsᵉphiʻâh profoundly illustrates the insidious, escalating, and ultimately fatal nature of sin, highlighting God's righteous judgment against inherent wickedness and its destructive progeny. It serves as a powerful reminder of the true character of evil as something that, by its very nature, produces death and decay.
TRV