מִשְׂרָפָה
𐤌𐤔𐤓𐤐𐤄
misrâphâh
H4955 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A burning, process or act of burning; primarily refers to a fire or combustion, particularly in the context of burning objects or materials. In specific biblical contexts, it can denote the burning of a corpse (cremation) for ritual or punitive purposes, or the calcination of lime. The term points to a deliberate act of burning, differentiating it from accidental fire or general destruction.
Semantic Range
burning, act of burning, cremation (of a corpse), calcination (of lime), ritual burning, penal burning
Root / Etymology
From the root שָׂרַף (ś-r-p), which has the core meaning 'to burn, to consume by fire.' מִשְׂרָפָה is a feminine noun formed with the mem-prefix (מִ-) indicating place or action, thus denoting 'the act or place of burning.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מִשְׂרָפָה appears specifically for ritual or symbolic burnings, such as the burning of an offender's body (e.g. in cases of severe transgression; Leviticus 21:9) or the burning of materials such as lime (Isaiah 33:12). In these contexts, the term conveys not only the physical combustion but also the social and ritual significance of the act. While later English translations might use 'burning', the nuance of ritual action (cremation for dishonor or purification, not ordinary disposal) is not always captured. Related terms include שְׂרֵפָה (śrēfâ, burning/destruction) and שָׂרַף (to burn, root verb). There's a distinction between general burning (שְׂרֵפָה) and the specific, possibly ritual or penal, burning described by מִשְׂרָפָה. Usage remains rare and context-driven, with limited post-biblical continuation. In rabbinic literature, the act of burning for punishment or purification is often referred back to the biblical precedent set by this term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׂרַף; combustion, i.e. cremation (of a corpse), or calcination (of lime); burning.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שרף (ś-r-p) — to burn, consume by fire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5636 | סַרְפָּד | the burning-weed |
| H8314 | שָׂרָף | the burning ones |
| H8316 | שְׂרֵפָה | the burning |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4955-01 |
מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | miserefot | HNcfpc |
burnings | burnings | 1 |
H4955-02 |
וּֽ/כְ/מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | ukhemiserefot | HC/R/Ncfpc |
and as the burnings | burnings of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4955-01 |
Isaiah 33:12 | מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | miserefot | HNcfpc |
burnings | burnings |
H4955-02 |
Jeremiah 34:5 | וּֽ/כְ/מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת | ukhemiserefot | HC/R/Ncfpc |
and as the burnings | burnings of |