שָׁפַר
𐤔𐤐𐤓
shâphar
H8231 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become bright or be splendid; to be/become beautiful, fair, or comely, often in a physical but also in a metaphorical sense. The verb denotes radiance, gleaming appearance, or an enhanced state of attractiveness, sometimes involving ritual or ceremonial preparation.
Semantic Range
to be/become beautiful, to glisten or shine, to be splendid, to improve or be made better, to be/appear comely or fair, to enhance physical or ceremonial appearance
Root / Etymology
Root שפר (ש-פ-ר), which has the core meaning 'to be beautiful, to become splendid, to shine.' The verb form conveys the idea of an enhanced outward appearance, to be or become fair, beautiful, bright, or goodly. The term is related to Akkadian šapāru (to be fair or beautiful) and similar roots in other Semitic languages; hence, it shares the notion of splendor or physical improvement.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׁפַר occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and most notably in poetic or elevated language, with connotations of physical beautification or ceremonial 'beautifying' often tied to care for the body or sanctuary objects (e.g., Ezekiel 16:7, 16:13, 16:14; Psalm 16:6). While commonly referring to outward or physical splendor, it can also be used metaphorically to characterize favorable conditions or states. In post-biblical Hebrew, the usage broadens to mean 'to improve' or 'make better' in both physical and abstract senses. The typical English rendering ('fair', 'goodly', 'beautiful') often narrows the term's nuance, missing underlying ideas of shining or enhanced condition. Related words include מַשְׁפֵּר (birthing stool, lit. something that makes beautiful, i.e. brings forth), suggesting the nuance of bringing into a good/better state. In ancient contexts, 'shapher' can carry ritual or ceremonial resonance, especially in poetic or prophetic passages. Distinction should be made from טוב (tov, 'good'), which more broadly covers moral or functional goodness rather than specifically physical radiance or beauty. The term should also not be confused with later theological or ethnoreligious uses attached to similar-sounding words in later Jewish tradition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to glisten, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) fair; [idiom] goodly.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שפר (š-p-r) — beauty, splendor, brightness, improvement
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8208 | שָׁפִיר | Beautiful-Town |
| H8209 | שַׁפִּיר | splendid |
| H8232 | שְׁפַר | he was pleasing |
| H8233 | שֶׁפֶר | beauty |
| H8236 | שִׁפְרָה | Fair-one |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8231-01 |
שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה | shaferah | HVqp3fs |
is beautiful | she became splendid | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8231-01 |
Psalms 16:6 | שָֽׁפְרָ֥ה | shaferah | HVqp3fs |
is beautiful | she became splendid |