צֶפַע
𐤑𐤐𐤏
tsephaʻ
H6848 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of venomous serpent, specifically a viper, recognized in ancient Israelite contexts as a dangerous, venomous snake. The term is used to denote a particular species of serpent, often referenced in poetic or prophetic passages to symbolize lethal threat or cunning. In some contexts, the word can allude metaphorically to hidden danger or unexpected peril.
Semantic Range
viper, adder, venomous serpent, symbol of deadly threat, symbol of cunning or danger (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Root uncertain. Although traditionally connected to a root meaning 'to extrude' or 'to spit/hiss,' there is no securely attested root צפע in Biblical Hebrew. The noun צֶפַע appears as an independent lexical item for 'viper'; the denominative verb צִפְעֹנִי (tsiph'oní) shares a plausible relationship, but the underlying root is not found elsewhere.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Historical & Contextual Notes: The term צֶפַע appears only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Isaiah 14:29 and 59:5), most often in poetic or prophetic literature, referencing a venomous viper. The word is part of a set of Hebrew terms for serpents (e.g. נָחָשׁ nachash, שָׂרָף saraph, אֶפְעֶה ef'eh), each denoting different kinds of snakes or supernatural beings. צֶפַע likely refers to a specific species within the viperidae family, although precise zoological identification is uncertain. Later Greek and Latin translations differ in rendering (e.g., ἔχιδνα [echidna] in the Septuagint, 'cockatrice' in the Vulgate), sometimes blurring distinctions between actual species and legendary serpents. English versions have rendered the term as 'adder,' 'viper,' or 'cockatrice,' though 'cockatrice' is now recognized as a mistranslation, as it is a mythological creature not present in the original Hebrew concept. The emphasis in context is upon the threat of sudden, deadly attack, with possible secondary associations of subtlety or deceit in metaphorical use.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to extrude; a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e. hissing); adder, cockatrice.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צפע (ts-p-ʿ) — to extrude, to spit, to hiss (uncertain root)
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6848-02 |
צִפְעוֹנִ֔י | tsifeoni | HNcmsa |
cockatrice | viper | 2 |
H6848-04 |
וּֽ/כְ/צִפְעֹנִ֥י | ukhetsifeoni | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a viper | and like a viper | 1 |
H6848-01 |
צֶ֔פַע | tsefa | HNcmsa |
a viper | hissing viper | 1 |
H6848-03 |
צִפְעֹנִ֔ים | tsifeonim | HNcmpa |
vipers | vipers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6848-02 |
Isaiah 11:8 | צִפְעוֹנִ֔י | tsifeoni | HNcmsa |
cockatrice | viper |
H6848-01 |
Isaiah 14:29 | צֶ֔פַע | tsefa | HNcmsa |
a viper | hissing viper |
H6848-02 |
Isaiah 59:5 | צִפְעוֹנִי֙ | tsifeoni | HNcmsa |
of vipers | viper |
H6848-03 |
Jeremiah 8:17 | צִפְעֹנִ֔ים | tsifeonim | HNcmpa |
vipers | vipers |
H6848-04 |
Proverbs 23:32 | וּֽ/כְ/צִפְעֹנִ֥י | ukhetsifeoni | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a viper | and like a viper |