סוֹף
𐤎𐤅𐤐
çôwph
H5491 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
End, conclusion, or limit; refers to the extreme boundary, the final part of a period or entity, or the act of coming to completion. Used in temporal, spatial, or abstract senses depending on context.
Semantic Range
end (temporal), completion, limit, extremity, boundary (spatial or conceptual), conclusion
Root / Etymology
Root: סוף. Derived from the Hebrew root סוף (s-w-p), which means 'to come to an end, cease, finish.' The Aramaic noun סוֹף (sof) shares this meaning and is likely derived from the same Semitic root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, the root סוף is rare as a noun and primarily occurs as the Aramaic noun סוֹף within sections written in Aramaic (e.g., Daniel 4:8; 6:27). It signifies 'end' in both temporal (e.g., completion of a time period) and spatial (e.g., outermost part of a boundary) contexts. The core Hebrew word for 'end' is קֵץ (qets), which is more frequently used in Hebrew passages. סוֹף tends to appear in exilic and post-exilic biblical texts reflecting Aramaic linguistic influence. English translations typically render it as 'end,' but the Hebrew term may also suggest boundary, uttermost part, or limit, depending on context. In the Hellenistic and later Jewish tradition, the term becomes canonically associated with the concept of time's conclusion or eschaton, but such expanded theological uses are not explicit in biblical Aramaic sources.
Translation Consistency
'End' is the most natural, common English word covering temporal, spatial, and abstract senses (end, completion, limit, boundary). It matches the SILEX range and the existing P2 renderings (5× "end"), ensuring consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to סוֹף; {a termination}; end.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
סוף (Suf) — to come to an end, cease, perish, destroy
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5486 | סוּף | I will bring to an end |
| H5487 | סוּף | she came to an end |
| H5489 | סוּף | marsh-reed |
| H5490 | סוֹף | in the end of |
| H5492 | סוּפָה | in a sweeping storm |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5491-02 |
סוֹפָֽ/א | sofa | ANcmsd/Td |
the end | the end | the end | 3 |
H5491-01 |
לְ/ס֥וֹף | lesof | AR/Ncmsc |
to-end | to end of | to end of | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5491-01 |
Daniel 4:8 | לְ/ס֥וֹף | lesof | AR/Ncmsc |
to-end | to end of | to end of |
H5491-01 |
Daniel 4:19 | לְ/ס֥וֹף | lesof | AR/Ncmsc |
to the end | to end of | to end of |
H5491-02 |
Daniel 6:27 | סוֹפָֽ/א | sofa | ANcmsd/Td |
end-the | the end | the end |
H5491-02 |
Daniel 7:26 | סוֹפָֽ/א | sofa | ANcmsd/Td |
the end | the end | the end |
H5491-02 |
Daniel 7:28 | סוֹפָ֣/א | sofa | ANcmsd/Td |
the end | the end | the end |