מַרְצֶפֶת
𐤌𐤓𐤑𐤐𐤕
martsepheth
H4837 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A paved surface, especially a floor or courtyard made of flat stones or slabs; denotes an area purposely covered with fitted stonework as part of architectural design. Used for both indoor and outdoor flooring in buildings or open courts.
Semantic Range
pavement, paved floor, stonework flooring, tiled area
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root רָצַף (r-ts-p), which in verbal form means 'to lay flat, pave, overlay with slabs.' The noun מַרְצֶפֶת denotes the result of this action, i.e., a pavement or paved floor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This term is rare, occurring in contexts describing architectural features of wealth or urban sophistication (cf. Esther 1:6, where it describes the ornate pavement of the Persian palace's court). In biblical usage, מרצפת typically indicates deliberate craftsmanship and luxury, often associated with royal or elite structures. The term is distinct from other words for ground or floor (אֲדָמָה—'soil, earth'; קָרְקָע—'floor, ground'), as מרצפת always implies artificial construction with stone or similar materials. Later translations sometimes generalize the meaning as 'floor,' but the original sense focuses on the specific act of paving. In post-biblical Hebrew, related nouns (e.g., מרצף) continue this sense. The English word 'pavement' adequately reflects the basic sense, but the richness of the Hebrew term includes nuances of artistry and deliberate architectural technique.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָצַף; a pavement; pavement.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רצף (r-ts-p) — to pave, to overlay with flat stones, to arrange in a row
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4837-01 |
מַרְצֶ֥פֶת | maretsefet | HNcfsc |
pavement | paved-stone flooring of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4837-01 |
2 Kings 16:17 | מַרְצֶ֥פֶת | maretsefet | HNcfsc |
pavement | paved-stone flooring of |