English · KJV
H6856

צִפֹּרֶן

tsippôren /tsip-po'-ren/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom צָפַר (in the denominative sense (from צִפּוֹר) of scratching)
Meaningproperly, a claw, i.e. (human) nail; also the point of astyle (or pen, tipped with adamant)
KJV usagenail, point.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsippôren — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tsippôren, represented by H6856, refers to a claw or nail, and also the point of a pen. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning shifts between a literal human fingernail and the metaphorical point of a writing instrument.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its two appearances, H6856 carries distinct meanings. In Deuteronomy 21:12, it is used literally as nails, describing a requirement for a captive woman to pare her nails as part of her transition into an Israelite household. In contrast, Jeremiah 17:1 uses the word metaphorically to describe the point of an iron pen. This point is used to permanently grave the sin of Judah upon the table of their hearts and the horns of their altars.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words highlight the dual contexts of this term:

  • H6213 ʻâsâh (pare): This primitive root, meaning to do or make, is used in Deuteronomy 21:12 to describe the action of paring the nails.
  • H3789 kâthab (write): A root meaning to grave or inscribe, this word is central to the metaphorical use of H6856 as the point of a pen used to write Judah's sin Jeremiah 17:1.
  • H3820 lêb (heart): Representing the feelings, will, and intellect, the heart is the surface upon which sin is engraved by the point H6856 in Jeremiah 17:1.
  • H8068 shâmîyr (diamond): This word for a gem, likely a diamond, describes the material of the point H6856, emphasizing the hardness and permanence of the inscription Jeremiah 17:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6856 is found in its contrasting applications.

  • Rite of Transition: The act of paring the nails H6856 is part of a physical process of separation and preparation for a woman entering a new life and household Deuteronomy 21:12.
  • Indelible Record of Sin: Used as the point of a pen, H6856 serves to create a permanent record of Judah's sin H2403, graven H2790 upon their heart H3820 with a diamond H8068 tip, making it unerasable Jeremiah 17:1.
  • External Act vs. Internal State: The two uses of the word contrast an outward, physical act of personal grooming with an internal, spiritual reality. One involves an extremity of the body, while the other marks the very core of a person's being—the heart—with transgression.

Summary

In summary, tsippôren H6856 is a word with a sharp dual meaning. It can be the literal nail on a person's hand, subject to being pared and changed as part of a physical ritual. It can also be the figurative point of an instrument of judgment, used to permanently inscribe rebellion onto the heart of a nation. Through its two appearances, it illustrates the difference between an external act of preparation and an internal state of corruption.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • צִפָּרְנֶי
  • צִפֹּרֶן

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6213 עָשָׂה a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, H3789 כָּתַב a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, presc H3820 לֵב a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; like H8068 שָׁמִיר from שָׁמַר in the original sense of pricking; a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diam H2403 חַטָּאָה or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; H2790 חָרַשׁ a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of a

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Deuteronomy
1
Jeremiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.