סַרְעַפָּה
𐤎𐤓𐤏𐤐𐤄
çarʻappâh
H5634 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small branch or twig, typically referring to the finer divisions arising from a larger limb (bough) of a tree or bush. The word is used for both literal twigs and, metonymically, for lesser branches or shoots. In some contexts, the term may also refer to ramification or branching in a more abstract sense, such as division or separation.
Semantic Range
twig, small branch, shoot, ramification; rarely, minor division or offshoot
Root / Etymology
From the root סָעַף meaning 'to branch off, to split, to fork,' with the prefixed ס representing a noun of instrument or result, and a plural form emphasizing the multitude or collectivity of twigs. The term is derived directly from the action of dividing or branching.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סַרְעַפָּה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with its main usage focused in poetic or metaphorical descriptions of trees or natural environments. Unlike עָנָף (ʻanaf, branch, bough) which designates fuller or more substantial branches, סַרְעַפָּה highlights the smallness and fragility of twigs or fine offshoots. The term does not typically carry metaphorical associations with kinship or family lines, as do some other terms for branches in Hebrew. Standard English translations often render it 'twig' or 'bough,' but 'twig' best fits its most frequent biblical use. There is variation in the precise scope of meaning depending on context, but it consistently refers to the smaller divisions of a tree rather than principal limbs.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for סְעַפָּה; a twig; bough.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סעף (s-ʿ-p̄) — to branch, to split, to fork
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5585 | סָעִיף | in split-off of |
| H5586 | סָעַף | branch-lopping one |
| H5587 | סָעִף | in divided thoughts |
| H5588 | סֵעֵף | divided-minded ones |
| H5589 | סְעַפָּה | in his twigs |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5634-01 |
סַֽרְעַפֹּתָ֜י/ו | sareapotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
its-boughs | his twigs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5634-01 |
Ezekiel 31:5 | סַֽרְעַפֹּתָ֜י/ו | sareapotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
its-boughs | his twigs |