צַפְצָפָה
𐤑𐤐𐤑𐤐𐤄
tsaphtsâphâh
H6851 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A species of tree or shrub found in wet or marshy places, likely referring either to the willow (Salix spp.) or a similar water-loving tree or bush. In biblical usage, the term designates a plant characteristic of riverbanks or floodplains, sometimes contrasted with the more stately trees such as the cedar. The sense covers 'willow,' 'poplar,' or a related tree/shrub native to riparian zones.
Semantic Range
willow, poplar, marsh-growing tree, water-associated shrub
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צוּף, meaning 'to flow,' 'overflow,' or 'float.' The form צַפְצָפָה appears to be a feminine noun formed from this root, indicating a plant associated with flowing or water-abundant locations. The etymological connection highlights habitat rather than precise species identification.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צַפְצָפָה appears once in the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 23:40), in the context of the Feast of Booths, where it is listed among the plants gathered for the festival. Though traditionally translated as 'willow,' botanical identification is uncertain; some propose it might refer to the poplar (Populus euphratica) or similar riparian plants known in ancient Canaan. The translation 'willow' became conventional in English Bibles, though the exact referent is debated by botanists and lexicographers. In later Jewish tradition, צַפְצָפָה is consistently identified with the willow, but this tradition postdates the biblical text. The term should be understood broadly as a water-loving tree or shrub of the region. Other terms in Hebrew such as עָרָבָה ('aravah') are also translated 'willow' or 'poplar' and may overlap semantically, but צַפְצָפָה is distinguished both by etymology and context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צוּף; a willow (as growing in overflowed places); willow tree.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
צוף (tsûwph) — to flow, to drip, to overflow
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6688 | צוּף | dripping honeycomb |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6851-01 |
צַפְצָפָ֖ה | tsafetsafah | HNcfsa |
like a willow | flow-grown willow | flow-grown willow | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6851-01 |
Ezekiel 17:5 | צַפְצָפָ֖ה | tsafetsafah | HNcfsa |
like a willow | flow-grown willow | flow-grown willow |