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גַּף

𐤂𐤐

gaph

H1610 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גף to arch, to curve, to be elevated

Definition

An anatomical term denoting the back, especially of a person, with extensions to refer to the body as a whole or to oneself (i.e., 'self'). In some metaphorical contexts, used in reference to heights or prominent places (likely by analogy to the 'back' or summit of terrain).

Semantic Range

back (of a person), body (as a whole), self (oneself), prominent or elevated place (poetic/figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root גָּפַף (likely form, 'to arch' or 'to curve'), though the root itself is not otherwise attested in Biblical Hebrew (hence, root is effectively uncertain). The word גַּף is derived as a nominal form, focused on the physical aspect of arched or prominent surface (the back).

Historical & Contextual Notes

גַּף is a rare word in the Hebrew Bible, occurring in poetic contexts. Its primary usage relates to the physical back of a human, often in idiomatic phrases. In a few instances, it extends to mean the entirety of the body or 'self,' as in references to carrying something upon oneself. The word is also used in some poetic passages to denote prominent or elevated places, possibly by analogy to the back as the uppermost part of the body. In English Bible translations, the nuance of the word is not always preserved, sometimes being rendered as 'back,' 'body,' 'self,' or 'high place' depending on context. It should not be conflated with פֶּגֶף (peghef, 'thigh') or גּוּף (guf, post-biblical 'body'). The term does not develop significant theological nuance and is not employed as a technical term for landscape features outside poetic passages.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to arch; the back; by extension the body or self; [phrase] highest places, himself.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גף (g-p̄) — arching, curving, elevation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1611 גַּף her wings

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1610-01 בְּ/גַפּ֥/וֹ begapo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by himself in his back 2
H1610-02 גַּ֝פֵּ֗י gapey HNcmpc tops of backs of 1
H1610-03 בְ/גַפּֽ/וֹ vegapo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by himself on his back 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1610-01 Exodus 21:3 בְּ/גַפּ֥/וֹ begapo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by himself in his back
H1610-01 Exodus 21:3 בְּ/גַפּ֣/וֹ begapo-2 HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by himself in his back
H1610-03 Exodus 21:4 בְ/גַפּֽ/וֹ vegapo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by himself on his back
H1610-02 Proverbs 9:3 גַּ֝פֵּ֗י gapey HNcmpc tops of backs of
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