רֶצֶף
𐤓𐤑𐤐
retseph
H7529 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A stone heated to high temperatures, primarily used for baking or cooking; by extension, a heated coal or burning stone. The term refers to objects that serve as a source of intense heat in food preparation, especially in ancient ovens, rather than to general stones or naturally occurring coals.
Semantic Range
heated stone for baking, red-hot stone, burning stone, coal (as a heat source in baking or cooking)
Root / Etymology
From the root רָשַׁף (רשף), which relates to burning, blazing, or flashing. The noun רֶצֶף is derived from this root, focusing particularly on the results of heating—specifically, stones that have been made red-hot for culinary or heating purposes, rather than flame or lightning as with other cognates. The form with 'צ' instead of 'ש' is likely a linguistic variant or possibly a result of dialectical pronunciation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical contexts, רֶצֶף appears in connection with baking or roasting, notably in reference to the process of cooking bread or food by placing it on or among heated stones. This reflects a common Israelite culinary technique, using stones in earth ovens or hearths. Unlike general terms for coal such as גָּחָל (gachal), רֶצֶף specifies the use of actual stones, not charcoal, as the heat source. Most English translations render רֶצֶף as 'hot stone' or 'coal,' but this may obscure the practice of baking with stones, common in ancient Near Eastern households. The word does not carry the sense of a naturally occurring geological 'coal' (as in fossil fuel), nor does it refer to metal or pottery objects. Its usage is limited (primarily found in Isaiah 6:6), and the word is not attested with a religious or ritual sense, nor as a metaphor in broader Hebrew literature. Later Hebrew and Aramaic texts sometimes use related forms for 'tile,' but not for 'coal.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for רֶשֶׁף; a red-hot stone (for baking); coal.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רשף (r-š-p) — burn, blaze, flash
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7529-01 |
רְצָפִ֖ים | retsafim | HNcfpa |
baked on coals | red-hot baking stones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7529-01 |
1 Kings 19:6 | רְצָפִ֖ים | retsafim | HNcfpa |
baked on coals | red-hot baking stones |