English · KJV
H8228

שֶׁפַע

shephaʻ /sheh'-fah/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom an unused root meaning to abound
Meaningresources
KJV usageabundance.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shephaʻ — 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 shephaʻ, represented by H8228, is defined as resources or abundance. It appears only 1 time in 1 verse, stemming from an unused root that means "to abound." Its single usage points specifically to a great quantity of resources provided from a natural source.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole biblical appearance of H8228 is within a prophetic blessing in the book of Deuteronomy. The text describes how certain tribes will benefit from their proximity to the coast, stating they "shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand" Deuteronomy 33:19. In this context, shephaʻ refers to the material wealth and prosperity derived from the sea.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in the same verse help clarify the nature of this abundance:

  • H3220 yâm (a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water): This word identifies the source of the abundance. The prosperity is directly linked to the sea, highlighting it as a place of immense provision Deuteronomy 33:19.
  • H8226 sâphan (to conceal (as a valuable); treasure): This word is used in parallel with H8228, describing "treasures hid in the sand." It reinforces the idea of valuable resources that are not immediately apparent but are present to be discovered Deuteronomy 33:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8228 is tied entirely to its context in this divine blessing.

  • Divine Provision: The abundance is not a random occurrence but a specific promise from God, highlighting His role as the provider for His people.
  • Unconventional Wealth: The sea, often a symbol of chaos or the unknown, is presented here as a source of blessing and prosperity, demonstrating that God can bring forth resources from unexpected places.
  • Hidden Blessings: The connection to "treasures hid in the sand" suggests that God's provision may sometimes be concealed, requiring faith and effort to be realized.

Summary

In summary, H8228 is a highly specific term for abundance. Its single, impactful use in scripture illustrates a key theological concept: God's provision can flow from any source, even the depths of the sea. It shows how a prophetic blessing can frame a natural environment not as a boundary, but as a vast storehouse of divinely-given resources.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • שֶׁפַע

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.

H3220 יָם from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the ar H8226 שָׂפַן a primitive root; to conceal (as a valuable); treasure.

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

1 verse, all in Deuteronomy — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.