סָעִף
𐤎𐤏𐤐
çâʻiph
H5587 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A divided thought, sentiment, or opinion; the condition or act of being split or divided, particularly in inner thoughts or mental disposition. Often used to convey a sense of inner division, vacillation, or uncertainty in one's mind or attitudes.
Semantic Range
division (in thought or feeling), divided mind, internal conflict, a sentiment or opinion (with implied instability), vacillation, double-mindedness
Root / Etymology
From the root סָעַף meaning 'to branch off, split, divide.' The noun סָעִף denotes a thing which is split or divided, hence figuratively applied to thoughts or mental states.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סָעִף appears primarily in poetic or wisdom literature, characteristically in contexts addressing internal conflict or indecision (e.g., Psalm 119:113, 'I hate divided minds'). The figurative sense (inner division, double-mindedness) is not fully captured by the translations 'opinion' or 'sentiment,' which are too neutral and may lose the evaluative sense of instability and wavering. Later translation traditions sometimes use terms like 'double-minded' or 'fickle' to render this word. There is no direct English equivalent fully embracing its Hebrew nuance, which draws from the imagery of a tree with split branches.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or שָׂעִף; from סָעַף; divided (in mind), i.e. (abstractly) a sentiment; opinion.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סעף (s-ʿ-p̄) — to split off, branch, divide
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5585 | סָעִיף | in split-off of |
| H5586 | סָעַף | branch-lopping one |
| H5588 | סֵעֵף | divided-minded ones |
| H5589 | סְעַפָּה | in his twigs |
| H5634 | סַרְעַפָּה | his twigs |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5587-02 |
הַ/סְּעִפִּים֒ | haseipim | HTd/Ncmpa |
opinions/branches | the divided thoughts | 1 |
H5587-03 |
שְׂעִפַּ֣/י | seipay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my thoughts | my divided thoughts | 1 |
H5587-01 |
בִּ֭/שְׂעִפִּים | biseipim | HR/Ncmpa |
in disquieting thoughts | in divided thoughts | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5587-02 |
1 Kings 18:21 | הַ/סְּעִפִּים֒ | haseipim | HTd/Ncmpa |
opinions/branches | the divided thoughts |
H5587-01 |
Job 4:13 | בִּ֭/שְׂעִפִּים | biseipim | HR/Ncmpa |
in disquieting thoughts | in divided thoughts |
H5587-03 |
Job 20:2 | שְׂעִפַּ֣/י | seipay | HNcmpc/Sp1cs |
my thoughts | my divided thoughts |