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חָשַׂף

𐤇𐤔𐤐

châsaph

H2834 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חשף to make bare, to uncover, to strip off, to expose

Definition

To make bare, expose, or strip off a surface layer; to uncover something physically or metaphorically, including removing an outer covering from an object or exposing something to view, often with implications of vulnerability, humiliation, or preparation for use. In liquid contexts, to bail out or drain off water, making what was submerged visible or accessible. The term can connote both practical and figurative exposure, from undressing for exertion to suffering social shame.

Semantic Range

to strip off (clothing or covering), to make bare (land, body, object), to uncover (metaphorically or physically), to expose to view (often with implications of shame or vulnerability), to bail out or drain (a liquid), to reveal by removal of a covering

Root / Etymology

Root חשף (ḥ-š-p), meaning 'to make bare, strip, uncover.' The root conveys the idea of removing a covering, exposing what is underneath. The derived verb חָשַׂף takes on both literal (to strip off a covering, to uncover) and metaphorical senses (to make vulnerable or to reveal).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used across narratives, poetry, and prophetic literature. In physical contexts (2 Kings 10:27; Isaiah 20:4), the word refers to uncovering or stripping objects, land, or people—at times for utilitarian purposes (such as draining water, Isaiah 30:14) and other times as acts of humiliation or vulnerability (nakedness as shame, cf. Isa 47:2). The shame connotation stands in contrast to other verbs for physical nakedness (e.g., עָרוֹם for 'naked'), as חָשַׂף accents the act of exposure, not merely the state. In comparison to גָּלָה (galah, 'to uncover'), which can denote both physical exposure and exile, חָשַׂף tends to emphasize the covering's removal. The nuance of 'draining out' (as in bailing water) is rare but attested (Isa 30:14). Standard English translations sometimes narrow the term to 'make bare' or 'uncover', but the emotional or social dimension can be critical, especially in prophetic imagery. Over time, usage shifts from literal removal of clothing or covering to broader figurative senses of exposing to danger or shame.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to strip off, i.e. generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid); make bare, clean, discover, draw out, take, uncover.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חשף (ḥ-š-p) — to make bare, to uncover, to strip off, to expose

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2817 חֲשׂוּפָא Exposed-One
H2835 חָשִׂף stripped-away bands of
H4286 מַחְשֹׂף peeling-layer

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2834-03 חָשַׂ֥פְתִּי chasafeti HVqp1cs have stripped bare I stripped bare 2
H2834-09 וַֽ/יֶּחֱשֹׂ֪ף vayechesof HC/Vqw3ms and-strips-bare and he exposed 1
H2834-07 לַ/חְשֹׂף֙ lachesof HR/Vqc to draw out to strip bare 1
H2834-04 חָשֹׂ֤ף chasof HVqa stripped bare to strip bare 1
H2834-02 חֲשָׂפָ/הּ֙ chasafah HVqp3ms/Sp3fs it he stripped her bare 1
H2834-10 וְ/לַ/חְשֹׂ֥ף velachesof HC/R/Vqc or to scoop and to uncover 1
H2834-01 חָשַׂ֤ף chasaf HVqp3ms has bared he stripped bare 1
H2834-08 וַ/חֲשׂוּפַ֥י vachasufay HC/Vqsmpc with buttocks uncovered and stripped ones of 1
H2834-05 חֲשׂוּפָ֑ה chasufah HVqsfsa bared stripped-bare one 1
H2834-06 חֶשְׂפִּי chesepi HVqv2fs strip off Uncover yourself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2834-08 Isaiah 20:4 וַ/חֲשׂוּפַ֥י vachasufay HC/Vqsmpc with buttocks uncovered and stripped ones of
H2834-10 Isaiah 30:14 וְ/לַ/חְשֹׂ֥ף velachesof HC/R/Vqc or to scoop and to uncover
H2834-06 Isaiah 47:2 חֶשְׂפִּי chesepi HVqv2fs strip off Uncover yourself
H2834-01 Isaiah 52:10 חָשַׂ֤ף chasaf HVqp3ms has bared he stripped bare
H2834-03 Jeremiah 13:26 חָשַׂ֥פְתִּי chasafeti HVqp1cs have-uncovered I stripped bare
H2834-03 Jeremiah 49:10 חָשַׂ֣פְתִּי chasafeti HVqp1cs have stripped bare I stripped bare
H2834-05 Ezekiel 4:7 חֲשׂוּפָ֑ה chasufah HVqsfsa bared stripped-bare one
H2834-04 Joel 1:7 חָשֹׂ֤ף chasof HVqa stripped bare to strip bare
H2834-02 Joel 1:7 חֲשָׂפָ/הּ֙ chasafah HVqp3ms/Sp3fs it he stripped her bare
H2834-07 Haggai 2:16 לַ/חְשֹׂף֙ lachesof HR/Vqc to draw out to strip bare
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