עֲנַף
𐤏𐤍𐤐
ʻănaph
H6056 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A large branch, bough, or limb of a tree; specifically refers to substantial offshoots that extend from a trunk or primary stem. In some contexts, carries the nuance of an overhanging, leafy or spreading bough.
Semantic Range
large branch of a tree, bough, spreading limb, overhanging leafy branch
Root / Etymology
Root: ענף. The root concept is 'to cover, to be lavish or luxuriant.' The noun is formed directly from this root, denoting something which spreads or branches out as a covering. The actual lexical sense is more concrete, applying specifically to tree limbs or boughs, often with leafy coverage. In Aramaic usage (as in Daniel), the form is עֲנַף or עֶנֶף, corresponding to the Hebrew עָנָף.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֲנַף appears in Biblical Aramaic (notably Daniel 4:9ff) to describe the branches of the large tree in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. In contrast, the Hebrew equivalent עָנָף is found primarily in poetic or descriptive contexts and is less common in Hebrew narrative prose. The term commonly designates large, spreading limbs as opposed to smaller twigs or shoots, for which other Hebrew terms like זַלְזַל (zalzal) or פַּרְח (parach) might be used. English translations as 'bough' or 'branch' capture the basic sense, but may miss the specific emphasis on size or coverage suggested by the Hebrew term. There is some overlap in usage between Hebrew and Aramaic in the post-exilic biblical texts, but עֲנַף is primarily attested in Aramaic passages. Later Hebrew and Jewish interpretive tradition sometimes conflates this with other words for branch, but the distinct sense of a large, leafy branch is consistent. The English term 'bough' best preserves the original nuance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) or עֶנֶף; (Aramaic), corresponding to עָנָף; {a twig (as covering the limbs)}; bough, branch.
Bantu Hebrew
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ענף (ʿ-n-p̄) — to cover, to be luxuriant, to branch out
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6056-02 |
וּ/בְ/עַנְפ֨וֹ/הִי֙ | uveanefohi | AC/R/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-in-branches-its | and in his spreading boughs | 2 |
H6056-01 |
עַנְפ֔וֹ/הִי | anefohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-branches | his spreading boughs | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6056-02 |
Daniel 4:9 | וּ/בְ/עַנְפ֨וֹ/הִי֙ | uveanefohi | AC/R/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-in-branches-its | and in his spreading boughs |
H6056-01 |
Daniel 4:11 | עַנְפ֔וֹ/הִי | anefohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
its-branches | his spreading boughs |
H6056-01 |
Daniel 4:11 | עַנְפֽוֹ/הִי | anefohi-2 | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
its-branches | his spreading boughs |
H6056-02 |
Daniel 4:18 | וּ/בְ/עַנְפ֕וֹ/הִי | uveanefohi | AC/R/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-in-branches-its | and in his spreading boughs |